Respiratory status in chronic bronchitis patients under smoking cessation

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate a dynamics of bronchial inflammation caused by smoking during the cessation period. The inflammation was assessed by lung function parameters (LFP), chronic bronchitis (CB) signs. An efficacy of anticholinergic drug and N-acetylcysteine to prevent the CB exacerbation in addition to nicotine replacement therapy was also checked. The study involved 32 smokers with CB (the smoking history was 24.7 pack-years) who were divided into 2 groups: 18 and 14 persons. The 1^st group patients were treated with nicotine replacement therapy (NRP), anticholinergic drug (Atrovent) and N-acetylcysteine (Fluimucil) in standard doses, the 2^nd group patients received the NRT only. LFP and CB symptoms (cough, sputum expectoration, shortness of breathing) were evaluated weekly during a month, then every month for 180 days. The 2^nd group patients demonstrated a significant decline of FEV₁ (7.2%), FVC (12.3%), MMEF_75/25 ( 8.7%) and an increase in CB symptoms to the 2^nd or 3^rd day of the treatment that became maximal to the 7^th day and continued for 2 to 3 weeks. The 1^st group patients did not have any considerable changes. Conclusion: Atrovent and Fluimucil permit to prevent or reduce the CB exacerbation under the smoking cessation and to enhance the therapy of the nicotine dependency.