Efficacy of inhaled salmeterol in the management of smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a single centre randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study.

Abstract

This study shows that, compared with placebo, treatment with salmeterol produces an improvement in respiratory symptoms and morning PEF values in patients with moderate to severe COPD. Treatment with long acting beta agonists may therefore result in an improvement in functional status, even in patients suffering from apparently nonreversible obstructive pulmonary disease.