Effects of theophylline on pulmonary function in patients with traumatic tetraplegia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of theophylline on pulmonary function in patients with chronic traumatic tetraplegia, we conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study in 10 patients.


METHODS
The patients (age: 41 +/- 3 years; time from injury: 16 +/- 3 years; neurological levels: C3 to C7-T1) were randomized to receive oral theophylline or placebo for 6 weeks. After 2 months of washout, the patients received the medication not taken in the first trial for an additional 6 weeks. We measured lung volumes, expiratory flow rates, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) at both baseline and at the end of each treatment arm. Theophylline blood serum assays were measured during the first week of the treatment and on the day of respiratory measurements.


RESULTS
Mean theophylline level on the day of treatment completion was 12.6 +/- 1.4 microg/mL. In analyzing the data from the group of 10 patients, the percent changes from baseline in total lung capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at 1 second, MIP, and MEP did not differ significantly between the two treatment arms (P > 0.05 in all).


CONCLUSIONS
These data show that in this small group of 10 subjects with chronic tetraplegia, administration of oral theophylline did not improve pulmonary function.
Tzelepis
George E
GE
John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michigan 48201, USA.
Bascom
Amy T
AT
Safwan Badr
M
M
Goshgarian
Harry G
HG
D000328:Adult; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D045853:Exhalation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014109:Total Lung Capacity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013806:Theophylline