Long-acting beta-2-agonists for bronchiectasis (Cochrane Review)

Sheikh A, Nolan D, Greenstone M

ABSTRACT

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A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 10 July 2001. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.
Background: Symptoms of bronchiectasis include chronic productive cough, wheeze, breathlessness and recurrent infections of the lower respiratory tract. Long-acting bronchodilators are being used more frequently in the management of people with this condition.
Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of long-acting bronchodilators in the management of bronchiectasis that is not due to cystic fibrosis.
Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Bronchiectasis Database made up of trials identified from searching the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and hand-searches of leading respiratory journals. The latest searches were performed in May 2001.
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials, with or without masking.
Data collection and analysis: The results of searches were reviewed against pre-specified criteria.
Main results: We were unable to identify any randomised controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of long-acting bronchodilator therapy in the management of bronchiectasis. An update search in September 2002 did not identify any new studies.
Reviewers' conclusions: Further research is needed to establish if long-acting bronchodilators have a role in the management of people with bronchiectasis.
Citation: Sheikh A, Nolan D, Greenstone M. Long-acting beta-2-agonists for bronchiectasis (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
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File Reference: AB002155.htm