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Background: Detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by naso/oropharyngeal swabbing may expose health-care workers to the virus and is technically challenging. The Salivette® is an alternative saliva-collection device with an oral cotton swab containing citric acid to stimulate saliva production, which may have an unpleasant taste. We present a pilot study comparing the Salivette® Cortisol (SC), which uses a synthetic swab without citric acid, against oropharyngeal swabbing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)., Research Design and Methods: Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive patients were sampled at various timepoints. The number of patients positive/negative for SARS-CoV-2 in oropharyngeal swab and SC samples and the percentage of patients testing true positive/true negative for SARS-CoV-2 from SC samples were determined. Positivity was defined by RT-qPCR amplification of 2/3 target SARS-CoV-2 N, ORF1, and S gene sequences., Results: SC demonstrated 100% specificity, 52.2% sensitivity, and positive correlation with oropharyngeal swabbing for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 S gene. In later-stage disease, lower viral load was observed in SC samples compared with oropharyngeal swabs., Conclusions: The SC may be an alternative for SARS-CoV-2 detection where naso/oropharyngeal swabbing is not feasible/available. This technique also confirms observations that the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the upper airway may vary due to viral load over the disease course., Trial Registration: NCT04599959.

Tiotropium is a long-acting inhaled antimuscarinic bronchodilator that has recently received marketing authorization for the indication of asthma with dose delivery via the Respimat ® inhaler, in addition to its widely established role in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This report presents a combined analysis of tiotropium plasma and urine pharmacokinetics at steady state from 8 Phase II/III clinical trials in asthma and delineates the effects of patient characteristics on systemic exposure based on the parameters fe 0-24,ss (fraction of dose excreted unchanged in urine over 24 h post-dose at steady-state) and dose-normalized AUC tau,ss and C max,ss . Pharmacokinetics were also compared between asthma and COPD, incorporating data from 3 COPD Phase II/III clinical trials. Tiotropium pharmacokinetics in asthma were dose-proportional up to 5 μg dosed once daily. The following factors showed no statistically significant effects on tiotropium systemic exposure in asthma based on analysis of geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals: age, asthma severity, lung function, reversibility testing, allergy status, smoking history, geographical region, and posology (5 μg once daily or 2.5 μg twice daily via Respimat ® ). Asian patients showed a moderately but significantly higher systemic exposure compared to White or Black patients. However, no differences in safety by race were observed. Total systemic exposure (AUC tau,ss ) was similar between asthma and COPD, but C max,ss was 52% lower in asthma patients compared to COPD. It is concluded that in asthma, patient characteristics have no relevant effect on tiotropium systemic exposure. Since systemic exposure to inhaled drugs is an indicator of safety, the lower C max,ss compared to COPD is not considered a concern for tiotropium therapy of asthma., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We present results from the first phase III trial of once-daily tiotropium add-on to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus one or more controller therapies in adolescents with severe symptomatic asthma.In this double-blind, parallel-group trial (NCT01277523), 392 patients aged 12-17 years were randomised to receive once-daily tiotropium 5 µg or 2.5 µg, or placebo, as an add-on to ICS plus other controller therapies over 12 weeks. The primary and key secondary end-points were change from baseline (response) in peak forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) within 3 h post-dosing (FEV 1(0-3h) ) and trough FEV 1 , respectively, after 12 weeks of treatment.Tiotropium 5 µg provided numerical improvements in peak FEV 1(0-3h) response, compared with placebo (90 mL; p=0.104), and significant improvements were observed with tiotropium 2.5 µg (111 mL; p=0.046). Numerical improvements in trough FEV 1 response and asthma control were observed with both tiotropium doses, compared with placebo. The safety and tolerability of tiotropium were comparable with those of placebo.Once-daily tiotropium Respimat add-on to ICS plus one or more controller therapies in adolescents with severe symptomatic asthma was well tolerated. The primary end-point of efficacy was not met, although positive trends for improvements in lung function and asthma control were observed., Competing Interests: can be found alongside this article at erj.ersjournals.com, (Copyright ©ERS 2017.)

Background: This study was conducted to confirm the 24-hour bronchodilator efficacy and pharmacokinetic profile of once-daily tiotropium Respimat ® 5 μg add-on to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in adults with symptomatic asthma. It used a trial protocol designed to minimize the risk of pharmacokinetic sample contamination resulting from improper sampling procedure, sample handling, or device handling during priming and subsequent inhalation procedure., Methods: A Phase II, randomized, double-blind, two-way crossover study (NCT01696071) comparing two daily dosing regimens of tiotropium for 4 weeks, once-daily 5 μg (evening dosing) or twice-daily 2.5 μg (morning and evening dosing), as add-on to maintenance therapy with ICS (400-800 μg budesonide or equivalent) as controller medication. There was no washout between treatment periods., Results: An increase in the area under the curve of the 24-hour forced expiratory volume in 1 second profile from study baseline was observed following once-daily tiotropium 5 μg (217 mL) and twice-daily 2.5 μg (219 mL), with no difference between the two regimens (-2 mL [95% confidence interval: -38, 34]). In a subset of the study population, total tiotropium exposure, expressed as area under the plasma concentration versus time curve over 24 hours, was comparable between dosing regimens. Unexpected tiotropium plasma levels were observed in two patients, possibly because of contamination., Conclusions: The observed bronchodilator efficacy over 24 hours was similar with once-daily tiotropium 5 μg and twice-daily 2.5 μg as add-on to ICS therapy, supporting the suitability of once-daily dosing to provide sustained improvements in lung function in adults with symptomatic asthma., Competing Interests: Author Disclosure Statement K-MB is employed by insaf Respiratory Research Institute GmbH and has received compensation from various pharmaceutical companies for organizing or participating in advisory board and scientific meetings, and for the design, performance, or participation in single- or multicenter clinical trials. RD has received personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, and Almirall, outside the submitted work. DD has received consulting fees, lecturing fees, and payment from Boehringer Ingelheim for the development of educational activities. A-MK is employed by Pulmonary Research Institute at LungClinic Grosshansdorf, which has been compensated for the conduct of the study, and received compensation for scientific meetings or lectures from various pharmaceutical companies, including Boehringer Ingelheim. AS, RS, and PMZ are employees of, and PC is a former employee of, Boehringer Ingelheim.

Background: Tiotropium, a long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator, has demonstrated efficacy and safety as add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), with or without other maintenance therapies, in patients with symptomatic asthma., Objective: To evaluate safety and tolerability of tiotropium delivered via the Respimat(®) device, compared with placebo, each as add-on to at least ICS therapy, in a pooled sample of adults with symptomatic asthma at different treatment steps., Methods: Data were pooled from seven Phase II and III, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group trials of 12-52 weeks' treatment duration, which investigated once-daily tiotropium Respimat(®) (5 μg, 2.5 μg) versus placebo as add-on to different background maintenance therapy including at least ICS. Adverse events (AEs) including serious AEs were assessed throughout treatment + 30 days after the last dose of trial medication., Results: Of 3474 patients analysed, 2157 received tiotropium. The percentage of patients with AEs was comparable between treatment groups: tiotropium 5 μg, 60.8%; placebo 5 μg pool, 62.5%; tiotropium 2.5 μg, 57.1%; placebo 2.5 μg pool, 55.1%. Consistent with the disease profile, the most frequent AEs overall were asthma, decreased peak expiratory flow rate (both less frequent with tiotropium) and nasopharyngitis. Overall incidence of dry mouth, commonly associated with use of anticholinergics, was low: tiotropium 5 μg, 1.0%; placebo 5 μg pool, 0.5%; tiotropium 2.5 μg, 0.4%; placebo 2.5 μg pool, 0.5%. The percentage of cardiac disorder AEs was comparable between tiotropium and placebo: tiotropium 5 μg, 1.4%; placebo 5 μg pool, 1.4%; tiotropium 2.5 μg, 1.4%; placebo 2.5 μg pool, 1.1%. The proportions of patients with serious AEs were balanced across groups: tiotropium 5 μg, 4.0%; placebo 5 μg pool, 4.9%; tiotropium 2.5 μg, 2.0%; placebo 2.5 μg pool, 3.3%., Conclusion: Tiotropium Respimat(®) demonstrated safety and tolerability comparable with those of placebo, as add-on to at least ICS therapy, at different treatment steps in adults with symptomatic asthma., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Results from phase III clinical trials in adults and phase II clinical trials in children and adolescents demonstrate that tiotropium is an effective treatment when added to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) maintenance therapy., Objective: We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of once-daily tiotropium Respimat added to ICSs with or without a leukotriene receptor antagonist in a phase III trial in adolescent patients with moderate symptomatic asthma., Methods: In this 48-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, 398 patients aged 12 to 17 years were randomized to receive 5 μg (2 puffs of 2.5 μg) or 2.5 μg (2 puffs of 1.25 μg) of once-daily tiotropium or placebo (2 puffs) administered through the Respimat device every evening, each as add-on treatment to ICS background therapy, with or without a leukotriene receptor antagonist; long-acting β2-agonist therapy was not permitted during the study., Results: Improvement in peak FEV1 within 3 hours after dosing at 24 weeks (primary end point) was statistically significant with both tiotropium doses compared with placebo: 5 μg of tiotropium, 174 mL (95% CI, 76-272 mL); 2.5 μg of tiotropium, 134 mL (95% CI, 34-234 mL). Significant improvements in trough FEV1 at week 24 (a secondary end point) were observed with the 5-μg dose only. Trends for improvement in asthma control and health-related quality of life over the 48-week treatment period were observed., Conclusions: Once-daily tiotropium significantly improved lung function and was safe and well tolerated when added to at least ICS maintenance therapy in adolescent patients with moderate symptomatic asthma. Larger responses were observed with the 5-μg tiotropium dose., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Many patients with asthma remain symptomatic despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with or without long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs). Tiotropium add-on to ICS plus a LABA has been shown to improve lung function and reduce exacerbation risk in patients with symptomatic asthma., Objective: To determine whether the efficacy of tiotropium add-on therapy is dependent on patients' baseline characteristics., Methods: Two randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, twin trials (NCT00772538 and NCT00776984) of once-daily tiotropium Respimat(®) 5 μg add-on to ICS plus a LABA were performed in parallel in patients with severe symptomatic asthma. Exploratory subgroup analyses of peak forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), trough FEV1, time to first severe exacerbation, time to first episode of asthma worsening, and seven-question Asthma Control Questionnaire responder rate were performed to determine whether results were influenced by baseline characteristics., Results: 912 patients were randomized: 456 received tiotropium and 456 received placebo. Tiotropium improved lung function, reduced the risk of asthma exacerbations and asthma worsening, and improved asthma symptom control, compared with placebo, independent of baseline characteristics including gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, age at asthma onset, and FEV1 % predicted at screening and reversibility., Conclusion: Once-daily tiotropium 5 μg compared with placebo improved lung function, reduced the risk of asthma exacerbations and asthma worsening, and improved asthma symptom control, independent of a broad range of baseline characteristics, as add-on to ICS plus LABAs in patients with severe symptomatic asthma., Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; numbers NCT00772538 and NCT00776984 URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aerosol therapy in young children can be difficult. A realistic model based on handling studies and in vitro investigations can complement clinical deposition studies and be used to enable dose-to-the-lung (DTL) predictions., Methods: Predictions on dose delivery to the lung were based on (1) representative inhalation flow profiles from children enrolled in a Respimat ® handling study, (2) in vitro measurement of the fine-particle DTL using mouth-throat models derived from nuclear magnetic resonance/computed tomography (NMR/CT) scans of children, and (3) a mathematical model to predict the tiotropium DTL. Accuracy of the prediction was confirmed using pharmacokinetic (PK) data from children with cystic fibrosis enrolled in a phase 3 clinical trial of tiotropium Respimat with valved holding chamber (VHC)., Results: Representative inhalation flow profiles for each age group were obtained from 56 children who successfully inhaled a volume >0.15 L from the Respimat with VHC. Average dimensions of the mouth-throat region for 38 children aged 1-<2 years, 2-<3 years, 3-<4 years, and 4-<5 years were determined from NMR/CT scans. The DTL from the Respimat plus VHC were determined by in vitro measurement and were 5.1±1.1%, 15.6%±1.4%, 17.9%±1.5%, and 37.1%±1.8% of the delivered dose for child models 0-<2 years, 2-<3 years, 3-<4 years, and 4-<5 years, respectively. This provides a possible explanation for the age dependence of clinical PK data obtained from the phase 3 tiotropium trial. Calculated in vitro DTL per body mass (μg/kg [±SD]) were 0.031±0.014, 0.066±0.031, 0.058±0.024, and 0.059±0.029, respectively, compared to 0.046 in adults. Therefore, efficacy of the treatment was not negatively impacted in spite of the seemingly low percentages of the DTL., Conclusions: We conclude that the combination of real-life inhalation profiles with respective mouth-throat models and in vitro determination of delivered DTL is a good predictor of the drug delivery to children via the Respimat with VHC. The data provided can be used to support data from appropriate clinical trials.

Background: Respimat(®) Soft Mist(™) Inhaler (SMI) is a hand-held device that generates an aerosol with a high, fine-particle fraction, enabling efficient lung deposition. The study objective was to assess inhalation success among children using Respimat SMI, and the requirement for assistance by the parent/caregiver and/or a valved holding chamber (VHC)., Methods: This open-label study enrolled patients aged <5 years with respiratory disease and history of coughing and/or recurrent wheezing. Patients inhaled from the Respimat SMI (air only; no aerosol) using a stepwise configuration: "1" (dose released by child); "2" (dose released by parent/caregiver), and "3" (Respimat SMI with VHC, facemask, and parent/caregiver help). Co-primary endpoints included the ability to perform successful inhalation as assessed by the investigators using a standardized handling questionnaire and evaluation of the reasons for success. Inhalation profile in the successful handling configuration was verified with a pneumotachograph. Patient satisfaction and preferences were investigated in a questionnaire., Results: Of the children aged 4 to <5 years (n=27) and 3 to <4 years (n=30), 55.6% and 30.0%, respectively, achieved success without a VHC or help; with assistance, another 29.6% and 10.0%, respectively, achieved success, and the remaining children were successful with VHC. All children aged 2 to <3 years (n=20) achieved success with the Respimat SMI and VHC. Of those aged <2 years (n=22), 95.5% had successful handling of the Respimat SMI with VHC and parent/caregiver help. Inhalation flow profiles generally confirmed the outcome of the handling assessment by the investigators. Most parent/caregiver and/or child respondents were satisfied with operation, instructions for use, handling, and ease of holding the Respimat SMI with or without a VHC., Conclusions: The Respimat SMI is suitable for children aged <5 years; however, children aged <5 years are advised to add a VHC to complement its use.

Background: Tiotropium Respimat improved lung function in a phase 2 trial in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We investigated its efficacy and safety in a phase 3 trial, including a pre-specified pooled analysis of the phase 2 and 3 trials., Methods: 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of tiotropium Respimat 5 μg once daily in patients with CF (N=463)., Results: Co-primary efficacy endpoints showed no statistical difference between tiotropium and placebo: percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) area under the curve from 0-4h (AUC0-4h) (95% CI): 1.64% (0.27,3.55; p=0.092); percent-predicted trough FEV1 (95% CI) 1.40% (0.50,3.30; p=0.15). Adverse events were similar between groups. Pooled phase 2/3 trial results showed a treatment difference in favor of tiotropium: percent-predicted FEV1 AUC0-4h (95% CI): 2.62% (1.34,3.90)., Conclusion: Tiotropium was well tolerated in patients with CF; lung function improvements compared with placebo were not statistically significant in the phase 3 trial., Clinical Trials: These studies are registered with clinical trial identifier numbers NCT00737100 and NCT01179347 NCT00737100 NCT01179347. These studies are also registered with the EudraCT number: 2008-001156-43 and 2010-019802-17., (Copyright © 2015 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study assessed the long-term safety and efficacy of tiotropium Respimat, a long-acting inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilator, in asthma, added on to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with or without long-acting β2-agonist (LABA)., Methods: 285 patients with symptomatic asthma, despite treatment with ICS±LABA, were randomised 2:2:1 to once-daily tiotropium 5 μg, tiotropium 2.5 μg or placebo for 52 weeks (via the Respimat SoftMist inhaler) added on to ICS±LABA, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study (NCT01340209)., Primary Objective: to describe the long-term safety profile of tiotropium. Secondary end points included: trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) response; peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) response; seven-question Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-7) score., Results: At Week 52, adverse-event (AE) rates with tiotropium 5 μg, 2.5 μg and placebo were 88.6%, 86.8% and 89.5%, respectively. Commonly reported AEs with tiotropium 5 μg, 2.5 μg and placebo were nasopharyngitis (48.2%, 44.7%, 42.1%), asthma (28.9%, 29.8%, 38.6%), decreased PEFR (15.8%, 7.9%, 21.1%), bronchitis (9.6%, 13.2%, 7.0%), pharyngitis (7.9%, 13.2%, 3.5%) and gastroenteritis (10.5%, 3.5%, 5.3%). In the tiotropium 5 μg, 2.5 μg and placebo groups, 8.8%, 5.3% and 5.3% of patients reported drug-related AEs; 3.5%, 3.5% and 15.8% reported serious AEs. Asthma worsening was the only serious AE reported in more than one patient. At Week 52, adjusted mean trough FEV1 and trough PEFR responses were significantly higher with tiotropium 5 μg (but not 2.5 μg) versus placebo. ACQ-7 responder rates were higher with tiotropium 5 μg and 2.5 μg versus placebo at Week 24., Conclusions: The long-term tiotropium Respimat safety profile was comparable with that of placebo Respimat, and associated with mild to moderate, non-serious AEs in patients with symptomatic asthma despite ICS±LABA therapy. Compared with placebo, tiotropium 5 μg, but not 2.5 μg, significantly improved lung function and symptoms, supporting the long-term efficacy of the 5 μg dose., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01340209.

Background: People with cystic fibrosis (CF) suffer from chronic lung disease that is often treated with a bronchodilator. This trial evaluated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of single and multiple doses of tiotropium inhaled via the Respimat® Soft Mist™ Inhaler in patients with CF., Methods: Patients received a single dose (placebo, 2.5 μg, 5 μg, or 10 μg) and/or multiple doses (placebo, 2.5 μg, or 5 μg) of tiotropium daily for 28 days., Results: Ninety-two patients, aged 5-57 years, were treated. All doses showed a satisfactory safety profile for adverse events, vital signs, laboratory evaluations, and physical examination. At steady-state, peak exposure to tiotropium was comparable between adult patients with CF and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease., Conclusions: Tiotropium 2.5 μg or 5 μg inhaled via the Respimat® Soft Mist™ Inhaler once daily was well tolerated in patients with CF.

Background: A considerable number of children with asthma remain symptomatic despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, resulting in significant morbidity, reduced quality of life, increased healthcare costs and lost school days. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of once-daily tiotropium Respimat® 5 μg, 2.5 μg and 1.25 μg add-on to medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids, with or without a leukotriene modifier, in children aged 6-11 years with symptomatic asthma., Methods: In this Phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, incomplete-crossover, dose-ranging study, patients were randomised to receive three of the four treatments evaluated: once-daily tiotropium Respimat® 5 μg, 2.5 μg or 1.25 μg or placebo Respimat®, in the evening during the 12-week (three × 4-week) treatment period., Results: In total, 76, 74, 75 and 76 patients aged 6-11 years received tiotropium Respimat® 5 μg, 2.5 μg, 1.25 μg and placebo Respimat®, respectively. For the primary end point (peak forced expiratory volume in 1 second measured within 3 hours post-dosing), the adjusted mean responses with tiotropium Respimat® 5 μg (272 mL), 2.5 μg (290 mL) and 1.25 μg (261 mL) were significantly greater than with placebo Respimat® (185 mL; p = 0.0002, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0011, respectively). The safety and tolerability of all doses of tiotropium Respimat® were comparable with those of placebo Respimat®, with no serious adverse events and no events leading to discontinuation., Conclusions: Tiotropium Respimat® add-on to medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids, with or without a leukotriene modifier, was efficacious in paediatric patients with symptomatic asthma and had comparable safety and tolerability with placebo Respimat®., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01383499.

Tiotropium is the first bronchodilator to be studied systematically in cystic fibrosis (CF). We investigated whether any intrinsic or extrinsic factors affected pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of inhaled tiotropium delivered by Respimat(®) in adults and children with CF. Tiotropium PK in patients with CF was compared with that of healthy volunteers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This pooled analysis summarizes the PK parameters of inhaled tiotropium Respimat(®) across 9 early- and late-phase trials involving 27 healthy volunteers (1 trial), 409 patients with CF (3 trials), and 281 patients with COPD (5 trials). Patients with CF aged 5 to 11, 12 to 17, and ≥ 18 years had similar tiotropium plasma concentrations (geometric mean C(0.083,ss,norm): 2.22 pg/mL/μg; not determined for patients aged <5 years). The fraction excreted unchanged in the urine was 3.4-fold lower for patients aged 0.4 to <5 years than for those aged 5 to 11 years (fe(0-4,ss): 1.19% vs 4.09%). Tiotropium PK parameters were similar between CF patients and COPD patients., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Tiotropium, a once-daily long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator, when administered via Respimat® SoftMist™ inhaler (tiotropium Respimat®) significantly reduces the risk of severe exacerbations and improves lung function in patients with severe persistent asthma that is not fully controlled despite using inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting β2-agonists. To further explore the dose-response curve in asthma, we investigated the efficacy and safety of three different doses of tiotropium Respimat® as add-on to ICS in symptomatic patients with moderate persistent asthma., Methods: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-way crossover study, patients were randomised to tiotropium Respimat® 5 μg, 2.5 μg or 1.25 μg or placebo Respimat®, once daily in the evening. Each treatment was administered for 4 weeks, without washout between treatment periods. Eligibility criteria included ≥60% and ≤90% of predicted normal forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and seven-question Asthma Control Questionnaire mean score of ≥1.5. Patients were required to continue maintenance treatment with stable medium-dose ICS for at least 4 weeks prior to and during the treatment period. Long-acting β2-agonists were not permitted during the treatment phase. The primary efficacy end point was peak FEV1 measured within 3 hours after dosing (peak FEV1(0-3h)) at the end of each 4-week period, analysed as a response (change from study baseline)., Results: In total, 149 patients were randomised and 141 completed the study. Statistically significant improvements in peak FEV1(0-3h) response were observed with each tiotropium Respimat® dose versus placebo (all P < 0.0001). The largest difference from placebo was with tiotropium Respimat® 5 μg (188 mL). Trough FEV1 and FEV1 area under the curve (AUC)(0-3h) responses were greater with each tiotropium Respimat® dose than with placebo (all P < 0.0001), and both were greatest with 5 μg. Peak forced vital capacity (FVC)(0-3h), trough FVC and FVC AUC(0-3h) responses, versus placebo, were greatest with tiotropium Respimat® 5 μg (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0012 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Incidence of adverse events was comparable between placebo and all tiotropium Respimat® groups., Conclusions: Once-daily tiotropium Respimat® add-on to medium-dose ICS improves lung function in symptomatic patients with moderate asthma. Overall, improvements were largest with tiotropium Respimat® 5 μg., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01233284.

Background: Some patients with asthma have frequent exacerbations and persistent airflow obstruction despite treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids and long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs)., Methods: In two replicate, randomized, controlled trials involving 912 patients with asthma who were receiving inhaled glucocorticoids and LABAs, we compared the effect on lung function and exacerbations of adding tiotropium (a total dose of 5 μg) or placebo, both delivered by a soft-mist inhaler once daily for 48 weeks. All the patients were symptomatic, had a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) of 80% or less of the predicted value, and had a history of at least one severe exacerbation in the previous year., Results: The patients had a mean baseline FEV(1) of 62% of the predicted value; the mean age was 53 years. At 24 weeks, the mean (±SE) change in the peak FEV(1) from baseline was greater with tiotropium than with placebo in the two trials: a difference of 86±34 ml in trial 1 (P=0.01) and 154±32 ml in trial 2 (P<0.001). The predose (trough) FEV(1) also improved in trials 1 and 2 with tiotropium, as compared with placebo: a difference of 88±31 ml (P=0.01) and 111±30 ml (P<0.001), respectively. The addition of tiotropium increased the time to the first severe exacerbation (282 days vs. 226 days), with an overall reduction of 21% in the risk of a severe exacerbation (hazard ratio, 0.79; P=0.03). No deaths occurred; adverse events were similar in the two groups., Conclusions: In patients with poorly controlled asthma despite the use of inhaled glucocorticoids and LABAs, the addition of tiotropium significantly increased the time to the first severe exacerbation and provided modest sustained bronchodilation. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00772538 and NCT00776984.).