Bronchodilator response to nebulized salbutamol in elderly patients with stable C.O.P.D

ABSTRACT

To assess the response of elderly patients with stable COPD to beta-2 agonist. Material and This inter ventional study was conducted in Pulmonology unit, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Patients were recruited after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. A detailed history and clinical examination performed. On first day, baseline pulmonary function test [PET] [FEV 1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEFR] was taken. Then 3 ml normal saline [placebo] was administered via cho-neb nebulizer. PET measurements were repeated after 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes. The best of three readings was recorded. On next day, the same protocol was applied except that placebo was replaced by nebulized salbutamol 5 mg [1 ml] plus 2 ml normal saline was administered via nebulizer. Out of 40 patients fulfilling entry criteria 30 completed the study. Age range was from 60-80 years. The mean baseline for FEV1 and FVC were 0.52 and 0.76 respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean baseline values on two days. The results expressed as mean and peak percentage changes about the baseline are shown in tabular and graphical form. 60% patients responded to salbutamol and 25% to normal saline. Analysis of variance comparing change in FEV1 between salbutamol and normal saline revealed highly significant drug effect [P<0.01]. The drug effect comparing changes in EV.0 was statistically not significant [P>0.05]. Salbutamol can produce useful bronchodilatation in elderly patients with stable COPD which can be readily assessed using spirometry