Atovastatin for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable stage

Abstract

Objective To observe the treatment efficacy of atorvastatin for patients with different severities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in stable stage.To investigate the timing of statin therapy for COPD.Methods Out-patients and inpatients with COPD got into stable stage being treated at our hospital from February to May,2013 were chosen as study objects.There were 40 cases in each severity degree of Ⅰ-Ⅳ.Patients of each degree were randomly divided into conventional treatment groups (control groups) and atorvastatin groups (treatment groups),with 20 for each group.The control group of degree Ⅰ inhaled albuterol aerosol when needed; in addition,the one of degree Ⅱ regularly took one or more long-acting bronchodilators; the ones of degree Ⅲ and Ⅳ took salmeterol / fluticasone basing on the treatment of the one of degree Ⅱ if repeatedly occurring acute exacerbations; patients of degree Ⅳ were treated with home oxygen therapy if they had chronic respiratory failure.In addition,the atorvastatin groups took 20 mg atorvastatin (20mg / tablet,by Pfizer Ltd) every night at bedtime.Results The lung function (FEV1) decreased (23 ± 10) ml,(12 ± 7) ml,(9 ± 5) ml,and (4 ± 3) ml in the treatment groups and (60 ± 21) ml,(50 ± 15) ml,(45 ± 12) ml,and (20 ± 8) ml in the control groups of degree Ⅰ-Ⅳ,respectively,with statistical differences between the control groups and treatment groups of the same degree(P ＜ 0.05).6 min walk test (6MWT) decreased,COPD Assessment Test (ACT) score increased,and the occurring frequency of acute exacerbations increased in all the control groups; 6MWT,COPD Assessment Test (ACT) score,and the occurring frequency of acute exacerbations were better compared with those before the treatment in all the treatment groups; there were statistical differences in the three indicators between the control groups and treatment groups of the same degree (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Atorvastatin can slow down the declining rate of the pulmonary function,improve the quality of life,and reduce the occurring frequency of acute exacerbations of patients with COPD of all degrees.Early treatment will help improve the course. Key words: Pulmonary disease; Chronic obstructive; Atorvastatin; Treatment