Dransfield MT, et al. - Researchers investigated the efficacy of beta-blockers in reducing the risk of exacerbations and mortality in patients with moderate or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a prospective, randomized trial. They randomized 532 patients with COPD (aged 40–85 years) to receive either a beta-blocker (extended-release metoprolol) or placebo. The primary end point was the time until the first COPD exacerbation during the treatment period (range: 336-350 days). According to findings, there was no significant between-group difference in the median time until the first exacerbation(metoprolol group, 202 days vs placebo group, 222 days). However, metoprolol was linked to a higher risk of exacerbation resulting in hospitalization. Furthermore, the frequency of side effects possibly related to metoprolol was similar between groups, along with the overall rate of non-respiratory serious adverse events. There were 11 deaths in the metoprolol group and 5 in the placebo group over the course of the treatment period.