Comparison of Efficacy of Nebulized Salbutamol with Salbutamol / Ipratropium Combination in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the nebulized salbutamol alone with combination of nebulized salbutamol and ipratropium for acute
exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in terms of mean length of stay.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan. Study was carried out over a
period of six months from May to Nov 2017.

Methodology: A total of 300 patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (150 in each group) were recruited in the
study. Group A received nebulized salbutamol (5mg) alone and Group B received a combination of nebulized salbutamol
(5mg) and ipratropium bromide (0.5mg).

Results: Mean age of the patients was 66.4±6.4 years and 65.7±6.8 years in Group-A and B, respectively. In Group-A, there
were 136(90.7%) and in Group-B 134(89.3%) were males while 14(9.3%) and 16(10.7%) were females in Group-A and B,
respectively. Mean duration of disease in Group-A was 5.2±2.4 years and in group-B 6.0±1.6 years. Comparison of mean
length of stay (days) revealed in hospital between nebulized Salbutamol alone 5.0±0.5 days with combination of nebulized
Salbutamol and Ipratropium 4.3±0.6 days with p-value <0.001.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the routine addition of nebulized ipratropium bromide to salbutamol appears to be of benefit in the
treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in terms of mean length of hospital stay.