| Methods |
Crossover design; each phase 4 weeks. 8/23 (of all patients) failed to complete the study. Double blind (identical inhalers), but no other details. Concurrent asthma medication: mixed asthma/COPD study ‐ medication not distinguished for asthma (3/all patients had oral steroids, 7 had aminophylline). |
| Participants |
Inclusion criteria: patients had asthma ‐ reversibility of >20% with conventional bronchodilators; stable asthma medication implied. Patient details: 23 participants (asthma 7, COPD 8, no details 8) (overall M/F 12/3); asthma & COPD age 27‐71 (median 60); mild‐severe asthma (severity heterogeneous); no information on concurrent COPD. |
| Interventions |
2 interventions: ipratropium bromide 200µg and placebo; all interventions t.i.d. (not stated when). |
| Outcomes |
Daily symptom scores (breathlessness, cough, wheeze), PEFR and FEV1 at end of period, number of patients with exacerabations (all mixed asthma/COPD); treatment related withdrawals (mixed asthma/COPD) |
| Notes |
Mixed asthma/COPD mainly; Boehringer Ingelheim financial support. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
Information not available (Cochrane Grade B) |
