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 group
theophylline 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.