Tzelepis GE, Bascom AT, Badr MS, Goshgarian HG. Effects of theophylline on pulmonary function in patients with traumatic tetraplegia.
J Spinal Cord Med 2006;
29:227-33. [PMID:
16859226 PMCID:
PMC1864809 DOI:
10.1080/10790268.2006.11753878]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
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).
CONCLUSION
These data show that in this small group of 10 subjects with chronic tetraplegia, administration of oral theophylline did not improve pulmonary function.
Collapse