Effect of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol plus tiotropium versus tiotropium on walking endurance in COPD

摘要

To the Editor: Exercise intolerance is a hallmark feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with premature mortality [1]. Tiotropium (TIO) is effective in improving cycling exercise tolerance [2, 3] and walking endurance time in COPD [4]; these properties are thought to be associated with reductions in operating lung volume and the perception of dyspnoea during exercise [2, 3, 5]. What is less certain, however, is the extent to which these benefits of TIO on exercise duration can be further improved with the use of additional inhalational therapy.