Spirometric and plethysmographic evaluations were performed pre-CPT and at 5 and 30 minutes post-CPT. The pre-CPT measurements after a three-week period with no CPT were compared with the values while receiving CPT on a regular twice daily basis.
Main results
There was a significant decrease after three weeks without CPT for FVC (P less than 0.025), FEV1 (P less than 0.005), FEF25-75 (P less than 0.005), and Vmax60TLC (P less than 0.025). When the patients had been receiving CPT on a regular basis, the only immediate effect was an increase in PEFR after 30 minutes post-CPT (P less than 0.05). After three weeks without CPT, there were increases at 30 minutes post-CPI for FVC (P less than 0.005) and Vmax60TLC (P less than 0.05).
Authors' conclusions
These findings indicate that although there may be little immediate functional improvement when CPT is received on a regular basis, a three-week period without CPT leads to a worsening of the functional status, which is reversed with renewal of regular CPT.