Immunology

Summary
This study looked at the addition of tiotropium to poorly controlled patients with asthma already receiving inhaled glucocorticoids and long-acting bronchodilators. All patients were symptomatic and had a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 80% or less of their predicted value. In addition, these patients had a history of at least one severe exacerbation in the previous year.
 
The addition of tiotropium to this group of patients increased the time to first severe exacerbation (282 days versus 226 days), with an overall reduction of 21% in the risk of severe exacerbation. In addition, there was a modest sustained bronchodilation.
 
Reference
Huib AM, et al. Tiotropium in asthma poorly controlled with standard combination therapy. New England Journal of Medicine 2012 (September 3); (10.1056/NEJMoa1208606).