Clinical observation on the treatment of low-dose oral theophylline in patents with COPD / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of low-dose,sustained release oral theophylline on the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient.Methods Fifty-six patients with stable COPD were randomly divided into two grouptheophylline group (n =35) that was treated with slow-release theophylline(100 mg,twice daily),and control group (n =21) that was given with placebo.A series of parameters including lung function,quality of life scores,body mass index,airflow obstruction,dyspnea,and exercise capacity index (BODE) score,exercise tolerance,exacerbations,satisfaction with treatments and adverse effects were tested before and 12 weeks after the treatments.Results Forty two patients completed the study,25 cases in the slow-release theophylline group,and 17 cases in the placebo group.The differences of two groups before the treatment were not prominent except the age (P ＞ 0.05).After treated with slow-release theophylline,the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1),forced vital capacity (FVC) and the symptom score were slightly increased,but there were no statistically significant differences (P ＞0.05).After theophylline therapy,the quality of life score,including activity ability score,disease activity score and total score,and BODE index score were significantly decreased(P ＜0.05),but 6 minutes walk test (6 MWT) differences were no significant (P ＞0.05).The differences in pulmonary function test,the quality of life score,BODE index score and 6 minutes walk test were no significant between before and after the treatment with the placebo (P ＞ 0.05).Compared to the cases who treated with the placebo group,the patients in slow-release theophylline group reduced the frequencies of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) (3/25 vs 7/17,x2 =4.748,P ＜0.05),and increased the efficacy satisfaction (Z =-2.579,P ＜ 0.05).Slightly adverse reaction was observed in 3 cases in slow-release theophylline group,but it could relieve by oneself,and not affect the common treatment.There was no adverse reaction in the placebo group.Conclusions Low dose,sustained release oral theophylline was efficient in improvement of the quality of life scores and BODE index score.