Theophylline in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective:

The primary objectives of this study is to assess the effects of 4 weeks of theophylline therapy on exercise performance and lung function in patients with COPD already receiving combination inhaled long-acting bronchodilator therapy.

Background:

The latest Canadian COPD guidelines recommend the use of long-acting bronchodilators in patients who continue to experience symptoms despite as-needed use of short-acting bronchodilators. Unfortunately, patients with severe COPD may continue to experience symptoms despite use of both long-acting beta-agonists and anticholinergics. For these patients, the Canadian guidelines recommend a trial of theophylline. Studies have shown that theophylline can reduce symptoms and improve exercise performance, however, the use of theophylline is limited by its narrow therapeutic window and multiple drug interactions. Despite recommendations, it remains unknown whether theophylline provides any additional benefit for COPD patients already receiving combined long-acting bronchodilator therapy. No study has evaluated the effect of theophylline in patients already receiving both long-acting beta-agonist and long-acting anticholinergic therapy.

Methods:

This will be a prospective randomized double-blinded parallel group clinical trial evaluating the short-term effects of theophylline therapy on exercise duration and lung function in patients already receiving both tiotropium and a long-acting beta-agonist (salmeterol or formoterol). Twenty-four patients with moderate to severe COPD who are already using tiotropium and long-acting beta agonists will be randomized to receive either: a) 4 weeks of oral theophylline dosed to achieve therapeutic blood levels, or b) 4 weeks of identical placebo therapy. Only patients with stable COPD (no exacerbations nor changes in medications over the last 2 months) and no contraindications to exercise testing or theophylline use will be enrolled. All patients will undergo baseline pulmonary function testing and incremental and constant load exercise testing prior to randomization. PFTs and constant load exercise testing will be repeated after 4 weeks of therapy. Patients will be instructed to report adverse events and will have their theophylline dose adjusted to ensure therapeutic bloods levels (55-110 umol/L), prior to repeat testing.

Outcome Measurements:

The primary outcome of interest will be the effect of theophylline on exercise duration during constant load (75% maximum) exercise testing. The study will be powered to detect a 20% greater improvement in exercise duration for the theophylline-treated group. Secondary outcome measures will include changes in spirometry (FEV1) and lung volumes.

Anticipated results:

Exercise duration (on constant load exercise testing) was chosen as the primary endpoint of this study because it has been shown to be a reproducible and highly responsive measure for physiologic benefit in COPD. It is unknown whether theophylline will provide any additional increase in exercise duration, when added to a combined long-acting bronchodilator regimen. If an improvement is found with theophylline, a follow-up study of larger size and longer duration will be required to investigate whether this benefit will translate into improvements in clinical outcomes such as quality of life or frequency of exacerbations. Alternatively, if no improvement can be detected, the current COPD treatment recommendation should be re-evaluated.