Beneficios clínicos y funcionales de agregar teofilina a la terapia inhalatoria con broncodilatadores de acción corta en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica

Thirty-eight stable COPD patients who accepted to participate in thestudy approved by the Ethics Committee of our institution were studied. Using a randomized double-blindplacebo-controlled study, theophylline (250 mg) or placebo was administered twice a day for 15 days inaddition to inhaled salbutamol and ipratropium bromide. Prior to and at the end of the study, patientsunderwent: a) a spirometry to evaluate changes in dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation using slow vitalcapacity (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) wereevaluated using appropriate questionnaires.