Mortality associated with tiotropium mist inhaler in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Sonal Singh, Yoon K. Loke, Paul L. Enright, Curt D. Furberg

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

193 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To systematically review the risk of mortality associated with long term use of tiotropium delivered using a mist inhaler for symptomatic improvement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Data sources: Medline, Embase, the pharmaceutical company clinical trials register, the US Food and Drug Administration website, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomised controlled trials from inception to July 2010. Study selection: Trials were selected for inclusion if they were parallel group randomised controlled trials of tiotropium solution using a mist inhaler (Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler, Boehringer Ingelheim) versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; the treatment duration was more than 30 days, and they reported data on mortality. Relative risks of all cause mortality were estimated using a fixed effect meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic. Results: Five randomised controlled trials were eligible for inclusion. Tiotropium mist inhaler was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality (90/3686 v 47/2836; relative risk 1.52, 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 2.16; P=0.02; I2=0%). Both 10 μg (2.15, 1.03 to 4.51; P=0.04; I2=9%) and 5 μg (1.46, 1.01 to 2.10; P=0.04; I2=0%) doses of tiotropium mist inhaler were associated with an increased risk of mortality. The overall estimates were not substantially changed by sensitivity analysis of the fixed effect analysis of the five trials combined using the random effects model (1.45, 1.02 to 2.07; P=0.04), limiting the analysis to three trials of one year's duration each (1.50, 1.05 to 2.15), or the inclusion of additional data on tiotropium mist inhaler from another investigational drug programme (1.42, 1.01 to 2.00). The number needed to treat for a year with the 5 μg dose to see one additional death was estimated to be 124 (95% confidence interval 52 to 5682) based on the average control event rate from the long term trials. Conclusions: This meta-analysis explains safety concerns by regulatory agencies and indicates a52% increased risk of mortality associated with tiotropium mist inhaler in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberd3215
JournalBMJ
Volume342
Issue number7811
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 18 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mortality associated with tiotropium mist inhaler in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this