[Theophylline plus salbutamol in chronic bronchial obstruction. The additive effects of combination therapy in comparison with salbutamol monotherapy]. / Theophyllin plus Salbutamol bei chronischer Bronchialobstruktion. Additive Effekte der Kombinationstherapie im Vergleich zur Salbutamol-Monotherapie.

ABSTRACT

In a placebo controlled double-blind study of 40 chronic obstructive patients, the effects of combination treatment with slow-release theophylline and salbutamol (aerosol) was compared with salbutamol monotherapy. The randomized patient groups each containing 20 patients received-for a period of 8 days in each case-2 x 350 mg slow-release theophylline and an individual number of measured doses (puffs) salbutamol aerosol per day or only the beta-sympathicomimetic aerosol and placebo capsules. Lung function measurements and a subjective assessment of the clinical status of the patients were obtained at the beginning and the end of the study. As the most important parameter of the antiobstructive effect of therapy the airway resistance (Rt) was employed. On completion of treatment Rt in the group receiving combination therapy was decreased on average from 0.52 kPa/l/s to 0.28 kPa/l/s, significantly more than in the placebo group (0.55 kPa/l/s to 0.46 kPa/l/s). In addition, more marked subjective improvement in the clinical status was observed in the patients on salbutamol and theophylline as compared with the patients on salbutamol aerosol only.