A double blind cross over trial of theophylline prophylaxis for sleep hypoxaemia in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Twelve non-ambulant patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy underwent a double-blind cross-over clinical trial of slow-release theophylline for the treatment of asymptomatic sleep hypoxaemia. Eight channel polysomnography was carried out at home to identify patients with sleep hypoxaemia and this was repeated whilst on the theophylline and placebo limbs of the trial. The trial design was effective in maintaining blinding but theophylline adversely affected sleep quality and sleep hypoxaemia. The overnight oxygen saturation was further reduced whilst on theophylline with reduced sleep efficiency and increased sleep fragmentation. This trial lends further evidence towards the theory that the underlying aetiology of sleep hypoxaemia is upper airway obstruction.
Khan
Y
Y
Department of Paediatrics, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Heckmatt
J Z
JZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013806:Theophylline