Summary of results from more recent studies on long-acting anticholinergic agents
| First author [ref.] | Sample size | Duration weeks | Drug | Dose µg | FEV1 | FVC | Diary symptoms | Night | Rescue | Dyspnoea | Exercise test | HRQoL | Exacerbations |
| Versus placebo | |||||||||||||
| O'Donnell [12] | 187 | 6 | Tiotropium | 18 | ↑ | ↑ | NA | NA | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | NA | NA |
| Casburi [13] | 91 | 25 | Tiotropium | 18 | ↑ | ↑ | NA | NA | ↑# | ↑ | ↑ | NS¶ | NA |
| Tonnel [14] | 554 | 36 | Tiotropium | 18 | ↑ | ↑ | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | ↑ | NA |
| Niewoehner [15] | 1829 | 24 | Tiotropium | 18 | ↑ | ↑ | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | ↑ |
| Maltais [16] | 261 | 6 | Tiotropium | 18 | ↑ | ↑ | NA | NA | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | NA | NA |
| Verkindre [17] | 100 | 12 | Tiotropium | 18 | ↑ | ↑ | NA | NA | NA | NS | ↑ | ↑ | NA |
| Dusser [18] | 1010 | 52 | Tiotropium | 18 | ↑ | ↑ | NA | NA | ↑ | NA | NA | NA | ↑ |
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC: forced vital capacity; HRQoL: heath-related quality of life; NS: no significant benefit versus placebo; NA: not assessed; ↑: significant benefit versus placebo (e.g. reduced dyspnoea, increased exercise tolerance etc.). #: difference between treatment groups was statistically significant in 17 of the 25 weeks; ¶: difference of 4.44 units in the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire total score (p = 0.055).