TY - JOUR T1 - Tiotropium improves walking endurance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/09031936.00059511 SP - erj00595-2011 AU - M-E. Bédard AU - C. Brouillard AU - V. Pepin AU - S. Provencher AU - J. Milot AU - Y. Lacasse AU - P. Leblanc AU - F. Maltais Y1 - 2011/01/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2011/06/20/09031936.00059511.abstract N2 - The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 3-week treatment with tiotropium on walking capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).After familiarization with study procedures, 36 patients were randomized to receive tiotropium 18 μg OD or matching placebo in a double-blind and parallel-group study. Pre (trough) and 2-hour post-dose pulmonary function was measured. An endurance shuttle walk was then completed. The same procedures were repeated after 3 weeks of treatment. Ventilatory parameters were monitored during exercise.At 3 weeks, tiotropium significantly improved walking endurance time over placebo with a between-group difference of 128±141 sec, p=0.017. At 3 weeks, trough values for FEV1 and FVC were significantly improved with tiotropium in comparison to placebo. The post-dose response to tiotropium was statistically superior to placebo after the first dose and after 3 weeks of treatment for FEV1, FVC and inspiratory capacity. Ventilation and tidal volume at the end of walking were significantly improved with tiotropium.Three weeks of tiotropium resulted in a greater walking endurance in patients with COPD. Improvements in FEV1, maximal ventilation and tidal volume may contribute to this enhanced exercise capacity. ER -