TY - JOUR

T1 - Anticholinergic therapy for bronchiectasis

AU - Lasserson, Toby J.

AU - Holt, Kay

AU - Evans, David J.

AU - Milan, Stephen

AU - Greenstone, Michael

PY - 2001/4/23

Y1 - 2001/4/23

N2 - AbstractBackgroundAnticholinergic agents block bronchoconstriction mediated by the vagus nerve and may also dry up bronchial secretions. They are effective in obstructive airways disease and may be beneficial in bronchiectasisObjectivesTo determine the effect of anticholinergic therapy in acute exacerbations and stable bronchiectasis.Search methodsThe Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register was searched and bibliographies of retrieved papers were checked. Searches are current as of May 2011.Selection criteriaOnly randomised controlled trials were considered.Data collection and analysisTwo reviewers assessed the retrieved studies working independently.Main resultsTwelve studies were identified, of which six were obtained for further scrutiny. One was translated from Italian. None met the inclusion criteria. An update search conducted in May 2011 did not yield any new studies.Authors' conclusionsNo formal recommendations can be made about the use of anticholinergic therapy in acute or stable bronchiectasis based on the literature currently available. Plain language summaryThe effects of anticholinergic drugs in the treatment of bronchiectasisBronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease. People with the condition experience difficulty in clearing mucus from their lungs, leaving them prone to infections. Atrovent and other anticholinergic agents are bronchodilators which could help with opening up the airways in people with bronchiectasis. We looked for randomised studies addressing this question but we could not identify any evidence for or against the use of anticholinergic drugs in the treatment of bronchiectasis.

AB - AbstractBackgroundAnticholinergic agents block bronchoconstriction mediated by the vagus nerve and may also dry up bronchial secretions. They are effective in obstructive airways disease and may be beneficial in bronchiectasisObjectivesTo determine the effect of anticholinergic therapy in acute exacerbations and stable bronchiectasis.Search methodsThe Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register was searched and bibliographies of retrieved papers were checked. Searches are current as of May 2011.Selection criteriaOnly randomised controlled trials were considered.Data collection and analysisTwo reviewers assessed the retrieved studies working independently.Main resultsTwelve studies were identified, of which six were obtained for further scrutiny. One was translated from Italian. None met the inclusion criteria. An update search conducted in May 2011 did not yield any new studies.Authors' conclusionsNo formal recommendations can be made about the use of anticholinergic therapy in acute or stable bronchiectasis based on the literature currently available. Plain language summaryThe effects of anticholinergic drugs in the treatment of bronchiectasisBronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease. People with the condition experience difficulty in clearing mucus from their lungs, leaving them prone to infections. Atrovent and other anticholinergic agents are bronchodilators which could help with opening up the airways in people with bronchiectasis. We looked for randomised studies addressing this question but we could not identify any evidence for or against the use of anticholinergic drugs in the treatment of bronchiectasis.

U2 - 10.1002/14651858.CD002163

DO - 10.1002/14651858.CD002163

M3 - Journal article

JO - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

JF - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

SN - 1469-493X

ER -