Asunto(s)
Humanos , Femenino , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Neoplasias Esofágicas/complicaciones , Neoplasias Esofágicas/diagnóstico , Hemorragia Gastrointestinal/etiología , Leiomiosarcoma/complicaciones , Leiomiosarcoma/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Esofágicas/cirugía , Endoscopía del Sistema Digestivo , Leiomiosarcoma/cirugíaAsunto(s)
Humanos , Femenino , Adulto , Neoplasias Gástricas/diagnóstico , Neoplasias de la Mama/complicaciones , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Tracto Gastrointestinal/patología , Dispepsia/etiología , Neoplasias Gástricas/terapia , Neoplasias de la Mama/microbiología , Endoscopía del Sistema Digestivo , Metástasis de la Neoplasia/diagnósticoRESUMEN
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. Aim: To evaluate if theophylline adds clinical and/or functional benefits when associated to standard recommended inhaled bronchodilator therapy. Subjects and 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.