Summary of efficacy data for interventions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease*

ComparisonsRRR/RRI (95% CI)
ExacerbationMortality
*LAβ2A  =  long acting β2 agonist; SAβ2A  =  short acting β2 agonist; NA  =  not assessed. Other abbreviations defined in glossary; RRR, RRI, and CI calculated from data in article.
†Not significant.
LAβ2A v placeboRRR 21% (10 to 31)RRR 24% (−48 to 61)†
Tiotropium v placeboRRR 26% (11 to 38)NA
Tiotropium v LAβ2ARRR 7% (−8 to 20)†NA
Tiotropium v ipratropiumRRR 22% (5 to 37)NA
SAβ2A + anticholinergic v SAβ2ARRR 32% (9 to 49)RRI 18% (−66 to 308)†
SAβ2A + anticholinergic v ipratropiumRRI 4% (−35 to 68)†RRI 256% (−41 to 2053)†
Inhaled corticosteroids v placeboRRR 24% (20 to 28)RRR 22% (−5 to 42)†
Inhaled corticosteroids + LAβ2A v placeboRRR 30% (22 to 38)RRR 48% (−34 to 80)†
Inhaled corticosteroids + LAβ2A v LAβ2ARRR 20% (10 to 29)NA
Inhaled corticosteroids + LAβ2A v inhaled corticosteroidsRRR 10% (−2 to 20)†NA
Pulmonary rehabilitation v usual care, placebo, or educationNARRR 10% (−24 to 35)†
Supplemental O2v usual care (patients with resting PaO2 <60 mm Hg sea level)NARRR 39% (18 to 54)
Supplemental O2v usual care (patients with resting PaO2 ⩾60 mm Hg sea level)NARRI 16% (−15 to 58)†
Disease management v usual careNARRR 37% (−4 to 62)†