BRONHODILATOR RESPONSE TO NEBULIZED SALBUTAMOL IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH STABLE C.O.P.D

Abstract

Objective: To assess the response of elderly patients with stable COPD to beta-2 agonist.

Material and Methods: This inter ventional study was conducted in Pulmonology unit, Lady Reading

Hospital, Peshawar. Patients were recruited after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. A detailed

history and clinical examination performed. On first day, baseline pulmonary function test (P.F.T) (F.E.V 1,

F.V.C, F.E.V 1/F.V.C, P.E.F.R) was taken. Then 3 ml normal saline (placebo) was administered via cho-neb

nebulizer. P.F.T measurements were repeated after 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes. The best of three readings

was recorded. On next day, the same protocol was applied except that placebo was replaced by nebulized

salbutamol 5 mg (1 ml) plus 2 ml normal saline was administered via nebulizer.

Results: Out of 40 patients fulfilling entry criteria 30 completed the study. Age range was from 60-80

years. The mean baseline for F.E.V1 and F.V.C were 0.52 and 0.76 respectively. There was no significant

difference in the mean baseline values on two days. The results expressed as mean and peak percentage

changes about the baseline are shown in tabular and graphical form. 60 % patients responded to

salbutamol and 25 % to normal saline. Analysis of variance comparing change in F.E.V1 between

salbutamol and normal saline revealed highly significant drug effect (P<0.01). The drug effect comparing

changes in F.V.C was statistically not significant (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Salbutamol can produce useful bronchodilatation in elderly patients with stable COPD which

can be readily assessed using spirometry.