Evaluation of Tiotropium 2.5 and 5 mcg Once Daily Delivered Via the Respimat® Inhaler Compared to Placebo in 1 to 5 Year Old Patients With Persistent Asthma

Inclusion Criteria

• •1. All patients' parents (or legal guardians) must sign and date an informed consent consistent with ICH-GCP guidelines and local legislation prior to participation in the trial. Where appropriate, participants should assent to enroll in the study.
• •2. Male or female patients between 1 and 5 years of age.
• •3. By a physician documented (at least 6 month) history of persistent asthma symptoms, including (but not limited to) wheezing, cough, and/or shortness of breath. (persistent = need for inhalation corticosteroid maintenance therapy to control asthma symptoms)
• •4. For patients aged 5 years and capable of performing technically acceptable Pulmonary Function tests (PFTs): documented impaired lung function (i.e. pre-bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) is smaller or equal to 90% of predicted normal).
• •5. All patients must have been on maintenance treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid at stable dose, either as mono treatment or in combination with another controller medication, for at least 4 weeks before Visit 1.
• •6. All patients must be symptomatic (partly controlled) as defined by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline for children aged 5 years and younger in the week prior to Visit 1 (screening) and in the week prior to randomisation (Visit 2).