Abstract

ASSESMENT OF IMPROVEMENT IN PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE IN ASTHMATICS IN THOSE WITH INHALATIONAL VS ORAL SALBUTAMOL

Swetha Lingamneni*, Gopi Krishna Neelapala, Mounika Koyyada, Shruthi Madagani, Jagannath Patro V. and Suresh Kumar P.

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a condition that effects the air ways, characterised by bronchoconstriction and inflammation. Salbutamol, is a bronchodilator medicine that relaxes the muscles of airways leading to the lung and improves the amount of air flow to and from the lungs. The aim of this study is to compare and assess the efficacy of oral and inhalational salbutamol on the lung function. Methodology: A prospective, observational study was conducted at District Head Quaters Hospital, Khammam. A total of 110 patients were included in the study as per inclusion criteria. Subjects were classified into two groups, one group of patients (n=54) were given oral Salbutamol- (Asthalin - 2 mg) and the other group (n=56) with Levosalbutamol (Levolin-100mcg/ 2 puffs) metered dose inhaler. PEFR was measured before and after administration of drug. Highest value obtained after three attempts is recorded. Resuts and Discussion: Subjects were classified based on gender as 39% males and 60.9% females. Based on severity as mild (42), and moderate (68). Mean increase in PEFR after 15 minutes of Salbutamol inhalation was found to be 12.96% with SD - 7.63 and after 30 minutes of oral therapy to be 9.68% with SD – 8.38. Conclusion: Increase in post PEFR values has been achieved with both inhalational and oral therapy. However the mean increase in lung function has been greatly achieved with inhalational therapy. The study thus concludes that the inhalational therapy was most effective than oral therapy in improving PEFR.

Keywords: PEFR, metered dose inhaler, lung function.