Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEfficacy and safety of formoterol fumarate delivered by nebulization to COPD patients.
Nebulized solutions of long-acting bronchodilators provide an alternative to DPI and MDI delivery, particularly for COPD patients unable to use hand-held devices easily or correctly. The long-acting beta2-agonist, formoterol fumarate, is differentiated by its onset of significant bronchodilation within 5 min of administration. In a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy trial, COPD subjects (n=351, mean forced expiratory volume FEV1=1.3 L, 44% predicted) received nebulized formoterol fumarate (Perforomist inhalation solution; FFIS 20 microg) or DPI (Foradil Aerolizer; FA 12 microg), or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. ⋯ Drug related AEs in the FFIS arm with a frequency > or = 1% and exceeding placebo were dry mouth, nausea, and insomnia. Nebulized FFIS provided significant improvement in respiratory status and quality of life in subjects with COPD relative to placebo and was well tolerated. The efficacy and safety profile of FFIS was comparable to FA DPI.
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2008
Similarity and differences in elderly patients with fixed airflow obstruction by asthma and by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that elderly patients with fixed airflow obstruction can be affected by asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Despite similar fixed airflow obstruction, elderly patients with asthma have distinct characteristics compared with patients with COPD.
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Sexual quality of life was examined in 55 outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, using disease-specific questionnaires. Compared to an age- and sex-matched norm group, male patients with COPD reported a significantly lower sexual quality of life on all dimensions of the questionnaire. ⋯ Patients reported that they did not discuss sexual quality-of-life issues with their physician. Sexuality needs to be discussed by the health care provider in the consultation in order to improve quality of life of patients with chronic respiratory disorders.