Anticholinergics, not beta‐agonists, reduce exacerbations in COPD

A randomised controlled trial published in a peer‐reviewed journal is considered to be the ‘gold standard’ of information about the effectiveness of a treatment; however, critical appraisal of trials is required in order to judge the value and implications of the results. Here, the author presents an appraisal of a study comparing the efficacy of beta‐agonists and anticholinergics in COPD.

Salpeter SR, Buckley NS, Salpeter EE. Meta‐analysis: anticholinergics, but not beta‐agonists, reduce severe exacerbations and respiratory mortality in COPD. J Gen Intern Med 2006;21(10):1011‐9. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd