Introduction: The aim of this research was to examine the existence of broncho-obstruction of the airways in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as changes in resistance values in this part of the bronchial tree after inhalation of salbutamol.
Methods: This study was designed as a prospective, interventional clinical trial that included a sample of 147 patients suffering from COPD. Patients were stratified into four groups of thirty patients each based on the severity of airflow limitation (based on the post-bronchodilator FEV1 value), according to the GOLD grade. The test was conducted at the University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Clinic for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis “Podhrastovi”
Results: The results of our research showed that the average values of FEV1 compared to the predicted values of this parameter in subjects in the GOLD 4 group before the administration of salbutamol were statistically significantly lower than the average values of FEV1 in other subjects of the GOLD group. After the administration of salbutamol, a statistically significant increase in the value of FEV1 was registered in all tested groups. When the response to salbutamol was compared among the GOLD groups, it was assessed that the difference in the percentage increase in predicted FEV1 values after the administration of salbutamol among the tested groups was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Bronchodilation with salbutamol and additional ipratropium had a significant effect on both mentioned parameters, especially in the COPD group, which speak in favor of the presence of increased peripheral resistance in all groups of patients. A statistically significant bronchodilator response was obtained in GOLD 1 and GOLD 2 groups, i.e. in groups of patients with milder forms of the disease.