MEDIA RELEASE PR35868
Data From Largest GOLD Stage II Patient Population Treated With Tiotropium Highlight the
Benefits of Earlier Treatment of COPD
INGELHEIM, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
- New UPLIFT(R) Analysis Shows Tiotropium Significantly Improves Lung Function and Quality of
Life in COPD Patients With Early Stage Disease
- Not for US Media
A new analysis of the landmark UPLIFT(R) trial, published today in the Lancet, shows that
tiotropium (SPIRIVA(R) Handihaler(R) 18 micro g) administered to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD) patients with moderate disease severity (GOLD - Global Initiative for Chronic
Obstructive Lung Disease - Stage II) produced significant and sustained improvements in lung
function for up to 4 years.[1] This pre-specified subgroup analysis involved 2,739 patients - the
largest group of early stage COPD patients treated with a long-acting anticholinergic in a
randomised, placebo-controlled study.
The new UPLIFT(R) analysis shows that in patients with GOLD Stage II COPD, tiotropium may
slow the progression of COPD as measured by the rate of decline in lung function. Tiotropium
reduced the rate of decline in postbronchodilator FEV1* over 4 years compared with control** (43
mL per year vs. 49 mL per year; p=0.024). The rate of decline in prebronchodilator FEV1* was
similar between the groups.
Improvements in pre- and postbronchodilator FEV1* were maintained vs. control throughout the
trial (101-119 mL and 52-82 mL respectively; p<0.0001). GOLD Stage II patients taking tiotropium
had an 18% lower risk for exacerbations and 20% fewer exacerbations (p<0.0001) compared with
control. Health-related quality of life, as measured by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire
(SGRQ), was better in patients treated with tiotropium than in control patients throughout the study
(p less than or equal to 0.006). There was also a trend for reduced mortality with tiotropium
compared with control.[1]
"These results are very important for clinical practice because this is the first large, long-term
study to show that treatment with a long-acting anticholinergic has substantial benefits in patients in
the early stages of COPD. UPLIFT(R)has shown that a significant decline in lung function occurs
early in the disease, and it is known that exacerbations accelerate disease progression. Therefore
this new analysis confirms that we should treat COPD in the early stages with a medication such as
tiotropium that can improve lung function and quality of life, and reduce exacerbations," said
Professor Marc Decramer, UPLIFT(R)lead investigator, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the
Respiratory Division at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
The social and economic burden of COPD increases steadily, with patients becoming less
independent as the disease gets worse.[2] GOLD Stage II is typically when patients may start to
realise their lung function is abnormal and experience breathlessness on exertion. As COPD
progresses, lung function continues to decline and physical activity becomes severely limited,
disrupting the patients' and their caregivers' ability to lead a full life, interfering with everyday tasks
and participation in family routines.[2] This can lead to people feeling afraid, anxious, frustrated,
isolated and depressed.[2],[3] It is therefore important to ensure that patients are diagnosed and
treated as early as possible, including smoking cessation.
"The results from the UPLIFT(R)analysis in GOLD Stage II patients are extremely heartening.
They clearly demonstrate that if patients seek treatment from their primary care physicians earlier
they may be able to impact the clinical course of their disease and improve their quality of
life," said Dr. Anders 0strem, Specialist in Family Medicine, Norway and Director, International
Primary Care Respiratory Group.
[*] FEV1 = Forced expiratory volume in one second. Postbronchodilator FEV1 was measured
after giving the study drugs - tiotropium or placebo – and additional administration of short acting
bronchodilators. Prebronchodilator FEV1 was measured before administration of study drugs.
[**] All patients from both the tiotropium group and the control group were allowed to continue with
their normally prescribed respiratory medication, including dose adjustment throughout the trial,
except inhaled anticholinergics.
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Contact:
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
External Communications
Ute E Schmidt
Binger Strasse 173
55216 Ingelheim am Rhein
Germany
Tel.: +49-6132-779-7296
E: ute.schmidt@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Pfizer Inc
Associate Director,
Communications UK and Europe
Louise Clark
Walton Oaks
Dorking Road
Tadworth
Surrey, KT20 7NS
Tel.: +44-1737-331-192
E: Louise.clark@pfizer.com
SOURCE: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH and Pfizer Inc
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