• T Lasserson, K Holt, D Evans, and M Greenstone.
• Public Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, UK, SW17 0RE. tlassers@sghms.ac.uk
• Cochrane Db Syst Rev. 2001 Jan 1 (4): CD002163.

BackgroundAnticholinergic 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 StrategyThe Cochrane Airways Group clinical trials register was searched using the terms bronchiectasis AND anticholinergic OR ipratropium bromide OR tiotropium OR atropine.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.Reviewer's ConclusionsNo formal recommendations can be made about the use of anticholinergic therapy in acute or stable bronchiectasis based on the literature currently available.

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