[A comparison between the effects of albuterol and isoproterenol in bronchodilation test].
OBJECTIVE
To compare albuterol with isoproterenol as a bronchodilator in pulmonary function test and their value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of asthma.


METHODS
Two groups (59 patients with asthma and 37 patients with COPD) were included in this study, and the patients of each group were randomly divided into 2 subgroups. The patients in the 2 subgroups inspired the two drugs in a cross-over by odd or even days. The pulmonary functions were evaluated.


RESULTS
The changing rates of pulmonary functions induced by the two drugs in the two groups were positively correlated (P < 0.005), The changing rates of FEV1, MMEF, Raw, sGaw induced by albuterol were higher than the ones induced by isoproterenol in patients with asthma(P < 0.02), however the changing rates of FVC and PEF in asthma cases and all the above parameters in COPD cases were not significantly different between the two drugs(P > 0.10). The comparison of positive case number between asthma and COPD cases induced by both drugs showed significant difference(P < 0.005); especially, when the positive rate of sGaw induced by albuterol in asthma cases reached 98%, the positive rates in COPD cases was generally much lower.


CONCLUSIONS
Bronchodilation test is a valuable diagnostic method for asthma. In this study, albuterol was superior to isoproterenol. The most sensitive index in bronchodilation test was sGaw, then in order, FEV1(92%), MMEF and Raw; the FVC and PEF were relatively insensitive.
Yuan
Y
Y
Department of Internal Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, WCUMS, Chengdu 610041, China.
He
T
T
Wang
L
L
Zeng
J
J
Luo
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis; D011897:Random Allocation
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol