Long-acting bronchodilators are used in asthma, so may also benefit people with bronchiectasis. However, there is no good evidence for this at present.
Further research is needed to establish if long-acting bronchodilators have a role in the management of people with bronchiectasis.
Symptoms of bronchiectasis include chronic productive cough, wheeze, breathlessness and recurrent infections of the lower respiratory tract. Long-acting bronchodilators are being used more frequently in the management of people with this condition.
To determine the effectiveness of long-acting bronchodilators in the management of bronchiectasis that is not due to cystic fibrosis.
We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of bronchiectasis trials. The latest searches were carried out in August 2010.
Randomised controlled trials, with or without masking.
The results of searches were reviewed against pre-specified criteria.
We were unable to identify any randomised controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of long-acting bronchodilator therapy in the management of bronchiectasis. An update search in August 2010 did not identify any new studies.