Dose response relation to oral theophylline in severe chronic obstructive airways disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate measurement of the trapped gas volume as a measure of respiratory function in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease and their response to treatment with theophylline.


METHODS
Patients able to produce consistent results on testing of respiratory function spent two weeks having dosage of theophylline adjusted to give individual pharmacokinetic data. This was followed by random assignment to four consecutive two month treatment periods--placebo and low, medium, and high dose, as assessed by serum concentrations of theophylline. Respiratory function and exercise performance was assessed at the end of each two month period.


METHODS
Chest unit in district hospital.


METHODS
Thirty eight patients with chronic bronchitis and moderate to severe chronic obstruction to airflow were recruited; 33 aged 53-73 years completed the study.


METHODS
Dosage of oral theophylline increased during two week optimisation period to 800 mg daily unless toxicity was predicted, when 400 mg was given. Targets for the steady state serum theophylline concentrations were 5-10 mg/l in the low dose period, 10-15 mg/l in the medium dose, and 15-20 mg/l in the high dose period.


METHODS
Respiratory function as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow rate, slow vital capacity, and static lung volumes using helium dilution and body plethysmography from which trapped gas volume was derived. Exercise performance assessed by six minute walking test and diary cards using visual analogue scale.


RESULTS
The forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow rate changed only slightly (about 13%) over the range of doses. There was a linear dose dependent fall of trapped gas volume from 1.84 l (SE 0.157) to 1.42 l (0.152), 1.05 l (0.128), and 0.67 l (0.102) during the placebo and low, medium, and high dose treatment periods. Mean walking distance increased by up to 55.6 m (20%). There was a modest improvement in dyspnoea as the dose of theophylline was increased. Side effects were mostly minor but they became more frequent as the dose was increased.


CONCLUSIONS
The fall in trapped gas volume may reflect an improvement in peripheral ventilation (associated with treatment with theophylline) which is less apparent in the more common tests of lung function used in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease.
Chrystyn
H
H
Chest Unit, Pontefract General Infirmary, West Yorkshire.
Mulley
B A
BA
Peake
M D
MD
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010993:Plethysmography, Whole Body; D011897:Random Allocation; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013806:Theophylline