To study the effect of tiotropium on the serum hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α) and the sleep quality of the patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A total of 60 patients with stable COPD admitted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine of our hospital during the period of December 2016 and December 2017 were selected as the research objects. The patients were divided into two groups in strict accordance with the random principle, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group received a conventional treatment and the patients in the study group received tiotropium treatment on the basis of the control group. Serum HIF-1α was detected by double antibody sandwich assay-enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). The sleep quality was evaluated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Before treatment, the serum HIF -1α had no statistical significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum HIF-1αin both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), but the level was significantly lower in the study group than the control group (P<0.05). Before treatment, the PSQI score had no statistical significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the PSQI scores in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), however, the score was significantly lower in the study group than the control group (P<0.05). Before treatment, the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), the peak expiratory flow (PEF), the forced vital capacity (FVC), and the inspiratory capacity (IC) had no statistical significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the above indicators of the two groups were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and they were significantly higher in the study group than the control group (P<0.05).

Tiotropium can greatly decrease the serum HIF-1α and improve the sleep quality and the lung functions of the patients with stable COPD.