We used the Manitoba Health database to examine the relationship between use of inhaled respiratory drugs in people with chronic obstructive respiratory diseases and cardiovascular hospitalizations from 1996 through 2000. The drugs examined were beta agonists [BA], ipratropium bromide IB, and inhaled steroids (ICS). End points were first hospitalizations for supraventricular tachycardia, myocar...

OBJECTIVE To determine if bronchodilators are efficacious in treating bronchiolitis. DATA SOURCES A search of bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica, and Reference Update) for bronchiolitis and albuterol or ipratropium bromide, or adrenergic agents or bronchodilator agents. Reference lists were also used. STUDY SELECTION Randomized, placebo-controlled trials of bronchodilator tre...

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is supposed to be classified on the basis of post-bronchodilator lung function. Most longitudinal studies of COPD, though, do not have post-bronchodilator lung function available. We used pre-and post bronchodilator lung function data from the Lung Health Study to determine whether these measures differ in their ability to predict mortalit...

PURPOSE The association between positive bronchodilator response (BDR) at baseline and the effect of long-term bronchodilator therapy has not been well elucidated in patients with bronchiectasis. The aims of our study were to explore the association between positive BDR at baseline and lung-function improvement following long-term (3-12 months) bronchodilator therapy in bronchiectasis patients ...

BACKGROUND Although asthma is highly prevalent among certain Hispanic subgroups, genetic determinants of asthma and asthma-related traits have not been conclusively identified in Hispanic populations. A study was undertaken to identify genomic regions containing susceptibility loci for pulmonary function and bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) in Costa Ricans. METHODS Eight extended pedigrees...

Despite current therapeutic approaches asthma remains uncontrolled in a significant proportion of patients. Short-acting anticholinergic bronchodilators have a very long history of use in asthma, and recent data confirms the importance of acetylcholine as both a bronchoconstrictor and as a regulator of inflammation and remodeling in the lungs. Data from a comprehensive clinical trial programme,...

BACKGROUND Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is defined by post-bronchodilator spirometry. Data on "normal values" come predominantly from pre-bronchodilator spirometry. The effects of this on diagnosis are unknown. METHODS Lower limits of normal (LLN) were estimated from "normal" participants in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) programme. Values separately derived usi...

BACKGROUND Acute bronchodilator responsiveness is an area of discussion in COPD. No information exists regarding this aspect of the disease from an unselected COPD population. We assessed acute bronchodilator responsiveness and factors influencing it in subjects with and without airway obstruction in an epidemiologic sample. METHODS COPD was defined by GOLD criteria (post-bronchodilator FEV(1...

The airway narrowing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has often been misunderstood as being irreversible. However, a large proportion of patients with COPD do respond to bronchodilator agents with significant changes in lung function. Unlike in asthma, abnormalities in airway smooth muscle structure or function are not believed to play a key role in COPD airway narrowing. Althoug...

Background: A limited or absent bronchodilator response is used to classify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and can determine the treatment offered. The reliability of the recommended response criteria and their relationship to disease progression has not been established. Methods: 660 patients meeting European Respiratory Society (ERS) diagnostic criteria for irreversible COPD wer...