Pulmonary Function Tests and Effect of Salbutamol Nebulisation in Sickle Cell Anaemic Patients

Objectives- To assess the severity of lung involvement by spirometry, observe the effect of nebulisation with short acting β2 agonist (bronchodilator), and correlate lung functions with various growth parameters in sickle cell diseased patients and compare with matched controls. DESIGN-Randomized controlled study. Setting- Sickle Cell Clinic, Dept. of Paediatrics, Medical College, Jabalpur, Govt.Medical College, Nagpur. Methods-] 19 cases of sickle cell who remained asymptomatic for the last six months particularly related to respiratory symptoms were selected for the study. Mostly tribal population of 5-21 yrs. of age comprised the study group. 126 controls closely matched to various parameters were taken up. Hemoglobin estimation SP02 assessment by Pulse-Oximeter was carried out. The spirometry was done of case as well as control with the help of a computerised spirometer -MEDSPIROR. The various lung function values were evaluated and repeated after nebulisation with short acting. β 2 agonist (bronchodilator) with appropriate dosage. The results were tabulised multivariate analysis was done by SPSS STA TISTICA softwares. Results- Observations revealed—Mean Hb% SP02 were 7.8gm% and 85.84% respectively with statistical correlation found to be highly significant ( 0.05).FEVh FVC,PEFR, showed significant positive linear correlation with age as well as height. Similarly FEV;/FVC ratio which reflects the severity of restrictive disease also showed positive correlation with age height. Short acting bronchodilator therapy showed statistical significant improvement in FEVt% ( 0.05), PEFR% ( 0.01) in 35.29% cases. Conclusions - Majority (65.62%)of sickle cell diseased patients had restrictive disease, 10.88% had obstructive disease, 10.9%had mixed blockage, and showed improvement to bronchodilator therapy. Only 12.6% of cases had normal PFT.