Effects of beclomethasone/formoterol fixed combination on lung hyperinflation and dyspnea in COPD patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by airflow obstruction and lung hyperinflation leading to dyspnea and exercise capacity limitation. Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate whether an extra-fine combination of beclomethasone and formoterol (BDP/F) was effective in reducing air trapping in COPD patients with hyperinflation. Fluticasone salmeterol (FP/S) combination treatment was the active control. Methods: COPD patients with forced expiratory volume in one second ,65% and plethysmographic functional residual capacity $120% of predicted were randomized to a doubleblind, double-dummy, 12-week, parallel group, treatment with either BDP/F 400/24 μg/day or FP/S 500/100 μg/day. Lung volumes were measured with full body plethysmography, and dyspnea was measured with transition dyspnea index.