Anticholinergic therapy for bronchiectasis (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 12 July 1999. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: Anticholinergic 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 bronchiectasis

Objectives: To determine the effect of anticholinergic therapy in acute exacerbations and stable bronchiectasis.

Search strategy: The Cochrane Airways Group clinical trials register was searched using the terms bronchiectasis AND anticholinergic OR ipratropium bromide OR tiotropium OR atropine.

Selection criteria: Only randomised controlled trials were considered.

Data collection and analysis: Two reviewers assessed the retrieved studies working independently.

Main results: Twelve 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 2003 did not yield any new studies.

Reviewers' conclusions: No formal recommendations can be made about the use of anticholinergic therapy in acute or stable bronchiectasis based on the literature currently available.

Citation: Lasserson T, Holt K, Evans D, Greenstone M. Anticholinergic therapy for bronchiectasis (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

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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: AB002163.htm