The effect of bronchodilators administered via aerochamber or a nebulizer on inspiratory lung function parameters

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the clinical efficacy of bronchodilator therapy delivered via a nebulizer versus an aerochamber on FEV1 is controversial. No studies comparing changes in inspiratory pulmonary function parameters (ILPs) using these inhaler devices are currently available. This information might be of interest because due to dynamic bronchial compression, the relationship between the ILPs and dyspnea is more reliable than that between FEV1 and dyspnea. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate whether changes in ILPs after use of these inhaler devices were similar to the changes in FEV1 and correlate with VAS (Visual Analogue Scale). METHODS: Forty-one stable COPD patients participated in a crossover trial. Spirometry was performed before and after two puffs Combivent (200 mcg salbutamol and 20 mcg ipratropium per puff) using an aerochamber or 2 mL of Combivent (2.5 mg salbutamol and 250 mcg ipratropium per mL) using a nebulizer. Differences in lung function parameters and changes in VAS were measured. RESULTS: ILP values improved significantly from baseline after Combivent administration using both devices (p