Efficacy of Salbutamol in Mixed Obstructive and Restrictive Pattern Spirometry

Background Salbutamol is a short acting β2 agonist bronchodilator most commonly used for management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Besides the disease state, it is also used for bronchodilator reversibility in spirometry. The spirometry reading show one of the four patterns i.e. normal, obstructive, restrictive and combined or mixed (obstructive-restrictive). Objective To determine the efficacy of salbutamol in mixed obstructive and restrictive pattern spirometry. Method A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH) for a period of 9 months. A total of 70 patients who presented with symptoms of respiratory disease in medicine outpatient department (OPD) in which spirometry was performed were selected. Of the 70 patients, 35 with mixed pattern spirometry were selected as cases and remaining 35 with normal spirometry were selected as control. After taking informed consent, spirometry parameter were measured before and after salbutamol therapy. Data was collected from medicine department, pulmonary function test (PFT) unit. All the data were entered in statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20) and Forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1 ), Forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1 /FVC and Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were analyzed. Result There was significant difference (p<0.05) in spirometry parameters (i.e. FEV1 , FVC, PEFR) when after salbutamol therapy was compared from before therapy. Statistical significance was also seen in percentage change in spirometry parameter (i.e. %FEV1 change, %FVC change, % change in ratio of FEV1 /FVC and %PEFR change) between case and control groups. Conclusion Salbutamol is an effective bronchodilator in mixed pattern or combined obstructiverestrictive lung disease.