Airway Effects of Tiotropium in Patients With COPD

Patients with asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease (COPD) undergo routine testing of their lung function in the diagnosis, progression, management and, response to treatment of their disease. Standard lung function obtains measurements based on the forced flow of air moving within the airways. Such measurements give a reasonable assessment of disease affecting the large airways, but not an accurate estimate of small airways disease. Small airways are less than 2mm in diameter. However, both asthma and COPD have disease that involves not only the large but also the small airways that has important clinical consequences. Indeed, COPD predominantly affects the small airways.

Tiotropium (Spiriva, Boehringer Ingelheim), a long-acting inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilator, improves lung function, quality of life, and exercise endurance and reduces exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Respimat Soft MistTM Inhaler (SMI) is a novel inhaler delivering a unique slow-moving Soft MistTM that allows gentle inhalation - making it easy to inhale. Importantly it has drug particles that are ~ 2microns that allow an increase in the total lung deposition of drug (~52%) and also the potential for penetration to treat the small and large airways in patients with COPD; that is targeting the whole airway tree.

RESEARCH AIM & HYPOTHESIS The aim is to investigate the effect of tiotropium from different devices on a panel of small (IOS, MBNW, DLCO, FVC) and large airway (FEV1, PEF) responses in patients with mild-moderate COPD. The investigators will compare Tiotropium Handihaler 18 micrograms once daily with Tiotropium Respimat 5 micrograms once daily.

The investigators will identify a COPD cohort with ongoing symptoms or exercise limitation on HandiHaler, as proposed. The science behind this is why are people still limited (even if partially as determined using the CAT score) and is more distal airway targeting necessary? This doesn't necessarily mean targeting the acinar/alveolar beyond the terminal bronchioles, but just a little bit deeper into the distal conducting airway. This can be achieved with Respimat.

Inclusion criteria

• COPD patients with FEV1/FVC <70% predicted.
• Mild (GOLD stage I: FEV1 >80% pred.) to moderate (GOLD stage II: FEV1 50-80% pred.)
• Aged 30 years onwards - there is no upper age limit as we do not want to exclude elderly patients as COPD is primarily a disease in the elderly population.
• Have on-going symptoms or exercise limitation (determined by CAT score)
• Stable COPD (no chest infection requiring antibiotics and/or oral steroids in the past 2 months).
• Capable of giving informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects who lack the capacity to consent will not be recruited.
• Current or past diagnosis of asthma.
• Patients on concurrent oral bronchodilators (theophylline, PDE4 inhibitors) will not be included.
• Patients on other LAMAs will not be included
• History of any chronic respiratory diseases other than COPD.
• History of another medical condition, which in the opinion of the Unit Physician, contraindicates his/her participation in the study.
• Clinical evidence of heart failure (NYHA class III-IV).
• Unstable respiratory disease in the last four weeks prior to the screening visit (indicated by any change in their maintenance inhaled therapy or who have had a lower respiratory tract infection in the previous four weeks).
• Evidence of a respiratory exacerbation requiring emergency room treatment and/or hospitalisation within four weeks before screening.
• Use of systemic (oral or intravenous) steroids 4 weeks prior to inclusion (injectable depot steroids 6 weeks) or more than 3 periods during the last 12 months.
• Participants with a known or suspected allergy, sensitivity or intolerance to the study drugs (this will be asked directly at the screening visit) or patients with a history of another drug allergy which, in the opinion of the Unit Physician, contraindicates his/her participation in the study.
• Patients with known or suspected cardiac rhythm disorders
• Patients treated with beta-blockers in the week preceding the screening visit and during the study period.
• Females who are pregnant or lactating or are likely to become pregnant during the trial. (a urine pregnancy test will be performed. Women of childbearing potential may be included in the study if, in the opinion of the investigator, they are taking adequate contraceptive precautions.
• Patients who have evidence of alcohol or substance abuse.
• Participation in another clinical trial with an investigational drug in the four weeks preceding the screening visit.