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Theophylline and Salbutamol Improve Pulmonary Function in Patients with Irreversible Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Section snippets
Patients
The study population consisted of patients with stable, nonasthmatic, irreversible, COPD. Patients younger than 70 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of COPD, FEV1 <60 percent of predicted normal, and an FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7 were identified via chart review from the outpatient respiratory clinic of St Michael's Hospital. Patients identified by initial chart review were subsequently excluded, on the basis of detailed review, if they had the following: (1) their FEV1 or FVC values differed by
RESULTS
On the basis of initial chart review, 100 patients with a diagnosis of COPD and age ≤70 years were identified. Of the 100 patients screened, only 14 met all the entry criteria and were willing to participate in the study. Two patients discontinued, one during the theophylline titration period for reasons unrelated to the study and the other during the second treatment phase due to severe dyspnea (at which time he was receiving theophylline). Anthropomorphic and clinical data for the 12 patients
DISCUSSION
The results of our study demonstrate that both theophylline and inhaled salbutamol produced significant, and generally equivalent, spirometric improvement in patients with COPD whose airflow limitation was classified as irreversible on the basis of their acute FEV1 response to inhaled salbutamol. Additional, statistically significant improvement occurred when the two drugs were administered in combination. For most patients, the magnitude of spirometric improvement was clinically important,
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Supported by a grant from Purdue Frederick.
Manuscript received October 2; revision accepted April 12.