TIOTROPIUM THERAPY HELPS COPD PATIENTS LIVE BETTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15(Bernama) -- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD) patients can live normal and active lives with tiotropium
therapy.

Results of a study called 'Understanding Potential Long-term Impacts on
Function with Tiotropium (Uplift)' demonstrated that tiotropium therapy improved
lung function, quality of life, and exacerbations among COPD patients during a
four-year period.

COPD is a chronic respiratory disorder that progresively deteriorates lung
function and limits airflow. If left untreated, the disease can restrict
patients' lives over time and is a major cause of death and disability
throughout the world. Symptoms include cough, sputum (mucus or phlegm)
production, and breathlessness on exertion.

According to Malaysian Thoracic Society president, Professor Liam Chong
Kin, results of study on COPD patients, who are mostly smokers, showed that
tiotropium therapy improve lung function, quality of life, and exacerbatiions
among COPD patients over a longer period of time.

The Uplift study involved 5,993 patients from 37 countries.

Speaking to reporters at the launch Friday of the Institute of Respiratory
Medicine (IPR)'s World COPD Day celebrations by the IPR's director, Dr Aziah
Ahmad Mahayiddin, Prof Liam said: "The landmark trial compared patients on
tiotropium 18 micrograms once daily with placebo, allowing them to continue with
their normally prescribed respiratory medications, including dose adjustments
throughout the trial, with the exception of inhaled
anticholinergics."

"Throughout the four-year trial period, patients in the tiotropium group
consistently reported a better quality of life than at study initiation," he
said.

He said if left untreated the disease can restrict patients' lives over
time and is a major cause of death and disability throughout the world.

Prof Liam, who is the principal investigator of the Malaysian chapter of
the Uplift study, said the study provided the confidence that treatment benefits
of tiotropium are sustained over a long-term and improved survival rates among
COPD patients.

"While many regard COPD as part of growing old and discount the seriousness
of the disease, there is much that can be done. The favourable results of the
study serve as convincing evidence on how treatment can impact the clinical
course of COPD, thereby offering more hope to patients, their families and
physicians," he said.

Dr Aziah said while there is no cure, COPD is a highly preventable and
treatable disease.

"In many patients, smoking is commonly observed and accounts for 80-90 per
cent of all COPD cases. The best way for anyone to reduce the risk of developing
COPD and preventing it from progressing further is to quit smoking," she
said.
"Here in Malaysia, there are approximately half a million COPD sufferers
with a projected prevalence rate of 4.7 per cent. If nothing is done to address
this issue, COPD is expected to become the country's fifth leading cause of
death," Dr Aziah said.

The latest World Health Organization (WHO) figures estimate that 210
million peopel are currently living with COPD, and more than three million
people died from the disease in 2005.
-- BERNAMA