A study of pulmonary functions and serum theophylline levels in bronchial asthma
Kulpati, D.D.; Mayall, I.D.; Hira, H.S.
Indian Journal of Chest Diseases and Allied Sciences 28(1): 1-5
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0377-9343 PMID: 3817897 Document Number: 272727
In the present prospective study, two groups of patients of acute (a) and chronic (c) bronchial asthma along with 25 normal healthy adult males (A) were evaluated and correlation between pulmonary functions including blood gas tensions and serum theophylline levels on fixed drug regimen was studied. Theophylline administration produced satisfactory improvement in pulmonary functions. A significant correlation (P < 0.05) between end-point theophylline levels and sensitive indices of airflow obstruction as FVC, FEV1 and VC has been noted in acute asthma. Hypoxemia was a persistent finding on arterial blood gas analysis. In acute asthma, hypocarbia was seen in 8 patients and hypercapnia in 5 patients. In chronic asthma, normocapnia was observed in all except in 5 patients who had hypocarbia. The mean serum theophylline concentrations approached the optimum therapeutic levels of 10-20 .mu.g/ml with standard dose regimens and with only minor side effects. No serious life-threatening toxicity was observed in this study.