Changes in blood gas tensions and functional residual capacity in chronic asthmatics treated with disodium cromoglycate

The effect of disodium cromoglycate on pulmonary function in extrinsic bronchial asthma over 12 months

“…In twelve of our subjects the DLCO was below predicted value in the control period, and showed a highly significant improvement after 2 weeks and 12 months on disodium cromoglycate. This improvement in DLCO is consistent with the increase in arterial oxygen saturation reported by Lane (1969) in asthmatic subjects on disodium cromoglycate but does not agree with the unchanged exercise capacity and slower pulse rate on exercise reported by Robertson et al (1969).…”

“…We have confirmed this short-term improvement in VC and have shown that the improvement in VC is still significant if the drug is continued for 12 months. Similarly a fall in pulmonary dead space has been shown to occur in asthmatic subjects given disodium cromoglycate over a few weeks (Rusnakova et al, 1969;Robertson et al, 1969;Lane, 1969). Here the ratio of RV/TLC% is given and although this index was down at 2 weeks, a significant reduction was only observed at 12 months.…”

“…Grant, Channell & Drever (1967), stressing the importance of the measurement of airways obstruction in bronchial asthma, were unable to show any measurable improvement in airways obstruction in patients treated with disodium cromoglycate. More recent reports have shown a significant improvement in the forced expiratory volume 1 sec (FEV,) and peak expiratory fiow rate in controlled trials with disodium cromoglycate over a short period (Kidner et al, 1968;Robertson, Epstein & Warrell, 1969), and Lane (1969) has observed an improvement in blood oxygen tension and a fall in functional residual capacity (FRC) in chronic asthmatics treated with disodium cromoglycate plus isoprenaline.…”