title: [Clinical and functional benefits of adding theophylline to a standard treatment with short acting bronchodilators in patients with COPD].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although theophylline is considered a third line bronchodilator drug for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is widely used in Chile, because it is administered orally and has a moderate cost.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if theophylline adds clinical and/or functional benefits when associated to standard recommended inhaled bronchodilator therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight stable COPD patients who accepted to participate in the study approved by the Ethics Committee of our institution were studied. Using a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, theophylline (250 mg) or placebo was administered twice a day for 15 days in addition to inhaled salbutamol and ipratropium bromide. Prior to and at the end of the study, patients underwent: a) a spirometry to evaluate changes in dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation using slow vital capacity (SVC) and inspiratory capacity (IC), b) the 6 min walking distance (6 MWD); and c) measurement of maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures. Dyspnea and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated using appropriate questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to placebo, patients on theophylline showed significant increases in SVC (p=0.014), IC (p=0.002), and 6 MWD (p=0.005). They also experienced an improvement in dyspnea (p=0.042) and QoL (p=0.011). All patients improved at least one of these parameters with 53% of the patients showing an improvement in 3 or more.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that adding theophylline to standard treatment with inhaled bronchodilators provides additional benefits in stable COPD patients by reducing dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation, improving exercise tolerance, dyspnea and QoL.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dreyse
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: Gisella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borzone
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lisboa
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013806:Theophylline; D009241:Ipratropium; D000420:Albuterol