Understanding Potential Long-Term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT) study

Study characteristics: - randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial - 487 centers in 37 countries - 5993 patients aged >= 40 years with COPD Treatment: - 4 years of treatment with either once daily tiotropium (18 microg; n=2987) or placebo (n=3006), delivered by an inhalation device Primary endpoints: - yearly rates of decline in prebronchodilator FEV1 & in postbronchodilator FEV1 Results: - GOLD stage 2 disease a) rate of decline of mean postbronchodilator FEV1 was lower in the tiotropium group than in the control group (43 vs 49 mL per year, p=0.024) b) rate of decline of mean prebronchodilator FEV1 did not differ between groups (35 vs 37 mL per year, p=0.38) c) health status (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire), time to 1st exacerbation & time to exacerbation resulting in hospitalization favored the tiotropium group

References

- Decramer M et al. Effect of tiotropium on outcomes in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (UPLIFT): A prespecified subgroup analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2009 Oct 3; 374:1171. PMID: 19716598 - Davies L and Calverley PMA. UPLIFTing care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lancet 2009 Oct 3; 374:1129. PMID: 19716599