What do systematic reviews say?

IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline

• Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 73 participants
  Moderate

IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline

• Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 59 participants
  Moderate

IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline

• Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 59 participants
  Moderate

IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline

• Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  3 studies · 82 participants
  Low

IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline

• Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 89 participants
  Moderate

Tiotropium vs long‐acting beta‐agonists

• Tiotropium versus long‐acting beta‐agonists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  4 studies · 4935 participants
  GRADE not reported

Tiotropium vs long‐acting beta‐agonists

Tiotropium probably leads to lower patients with 1 or more exacerbations compared with long‐acting beta‐agonists (moderate certainty).

• Tiotropium versus long‐acting beta‐agonists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.86 [0.79, 0.93]
  6 studies · 12123 participants
  Moderate

Tiotropium vs long‐acting beta‐agonists

It is very uncertain whether tiotropium changes mortality (all‐cause) compared with long‐acting beta‐agonists (very low certainty).

• Tiotropium versus long‐acting beta‐agonists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.82 [0.6, 1.13]
  6 studies · 12123 participants
  Very low

Tiotropium vs long‐acting beta‐agonists

• Tiotropium versus long‐acting beta‐agonists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  6 participants
  Low

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol showed no clear difference in patients with an exacerbation requiring hospitalisation compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (moderate certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.84 [0.67, 1.04]
  7 studies · 22236 participants
  Moderate

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol probably leads to lower patients with an exacerbation requiring a course of oral… compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (moderate certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.84 [0.77, 0.91]
  6 studies · 21591 participants
  Moderate

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol showed no clear difference in fatal serious adverse events (all‐cause) compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (low certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 1.08 [0.51, 2.3]
  5 studies · 21629 participants
  Low

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol showed no clear difference in patients with a serious adverse event (all cause) compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (low certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.94 [0.81, 1.08]
  7 studies · 22538 participants
  Low

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol showed no clear difference in patients with a serious adverse event (asthma related) compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (low certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.91 [0.72, 1.15]
  6 studies · 21986 participants
  Low

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol may leads to higher withdrawals (any reason) compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (low certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 1.12 [1.02, 1.24]
  7 studies · 22541 participants
  Low