Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions

Beta-Blocker Treatment Did Not Reduce Exacerbation Risk in COPD

Publish date:: November 6, 2019

Key clinical point: Beta-blocker treatment did not reduce the risk of exacerbations and death in patients with moderate to severe COPD.

Major finding: Median time to the first exacerbation was 202 days (95% CI, 162-282) in the metoprolol group and 222 days (95% CI, 189-295) in the placebo group.

Study details: A prospective, randomized trial of 532 patients with COPD who received either a beta-blocker or placebo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by a grant from the Department of Defense. The authors reported numerous potential conflicts of interest, including receiving grants, personal fees and research funds from various pharmaceutical companies and government entities.

Citation:

Dransfield MT et al. CHEST 2019. 2019 Oct 20. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1908142.

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