| Methods |
Crossover design; each phase 30 days. 4/22 patients withdrawn and 17 patients' results were analysed. Said to be double blind, with placebos and the code was not broken until the study was complete. Concurrent asthma medication: steroids (oral and inhaled), cromoglycate, theophylline (study drug in all arms); withdrawal of bronchodilators unclear. |
| Participants |
Inclusion criteria: patients had asthma ‐ diagnosis according to ATS criteria and reversibility >15% after beta‐agonist; all patients clinically stable for >1 month. Exclusions: cough and sputum during clinically stable periods, recent respiratory tract infections, cardiac, hepatic, renal, metabolic disease, and others; hypersensitivity to atropinic compounds. Patient details: 22 participants (M/F 9/13); age 17‐75 (mean for completers 47); moderate asthma (heterogeneous severity); 13/22 atopy; unclear if concurrent COPD. |
| Interventions |
3 interventions: ipratropium bromide (40µg)+fenoterol (200µg) ‐ may be separate inhalers, fenoterol (200µg), ipratropium bromide (40µg); all interventions q.i.d. (times not clear) and all arms had oral theophylline (200mg) q.i.d. |
| Outcomes |
PEF (daily) over 30d (no results); FEV1 at 30days; patient preference and number of exacerbations (descriptive); adverse effects. |
| Notes |
Authors unable to provide any more data. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
Information not available (Cochrane Grade B) |
