title: Reversibility tests in chronic obstructive airways disease: their predictive value with reference to benefit from domiciliary nebuliser therapy.
abstract: The role of short-term tests of reversibility in selecting patients with COAD for long-term nebuliser therapy is uncertain. In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study we have examined the correlation between short-term reversibility and response to a home nebuliser. We studied 20 patients with severe COAD (mean age 66, mean FEV1 0.81 l) and little reversibility (less than 20% increase in FEV1 post-inhaled salbutamol 200 micrograms and less than 25% increase in peak expiratory flow rate, PEFR, on oral steroids). PEFR, spirometry, lung volumes and airways conductance were recorded before and 1 h after a mixture of nebulised ipratropium 0.5 mg and fenoterol 1.25 mg. Patients then recorded twice-daily PEFR at home while they received nebulised ipratropium plus fenoterol, or saline placebo, four times a day for three week blocks using a double-blind cross over protocol. Mean PEFR on home nebuliser rose from 164 l m-1 (placebo) to 196 l m-1 (ipratropium plus fenoterol), paired t-test P = 0.0001. Correlation coefficients between short-term response for PEFR, spirometry and lung volumes, and improvement in home PEFR on nebulised ipratropium plus fenoterol, were all poor (R = -0.37-0.35, P = 0.83-0.11). We conclude that in severe COAD, reversibility tests of PEFR, spirometry and lung volumes do not correlate with response to a home nebuliser. Home measurements of PEFR are probably the best objective method of assessing response to a home nebuliser in such patients.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Function Laboratory, Killingbeck Hospital, Leeds, U.K.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Teale
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Muers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D005280:Fenoterol; D009241:Ipratropium