title: [Theophylline treatment of irreversible, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
abstract: Even though the clinical efficacy is not well established, theophylline is commonly prescribed as a second or third line drug after inhaled beta 2-agonists and corticosteroids for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The therapeutic index is narrow, and therefore theophylline is often given in a "safe standard dose", e.g. 300 mg b.i.d. We studied the long-term effect of sustained-release theophylline 300 mg b.i.d. over four weeks in 48 patients with severe irreversible COPD (FEV1: 0.99 +/- 0.45 l, FVC: 2.21 +/- 0.68 l) in a randomized, double-blind crossover study. During theophylline treatment there was significant improvements in dyspnoea score (p < 0.001) and morning peak-flow (p < 0.05). In spite of this, there was no significant change in the patients' "sense of well-being" or their daily use of inhaled beta-agonist. Spirometric tests or arterial blood gas values did not change significantly either. It is concluded that addition of theophylline in a "safe standard dose" (i.e. 300 mg b.i.d.) has only limited value in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Medicinsk afdeling C, Amtssygehuset i Glostrup.
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Iversen
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Eiken
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Laursen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maltbaek
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Tønnesen
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D013806:Theophylline
vernacular_title: Teofyllinbehandling ved irreversibel, kronisk obstruktiv lungesygdom.