TY - JOUR T1 - Safety and efficacy of sputum induction in COPD patients JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P1381 AU - Wai Yee James AU - David Jolliffe AU - Kamrul Islam AU - Claire Greiller AU - Adrian Martineau Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1381.abstract N2 - IntroductionThere is lack of studies addressing safety issues in performing sputum induction on COPD patients.Aim: To determine the efficacy and safety of a sputum induction protocol in COPD patients.MethodsEx-smokers with a diagnosis of COPD who had not experienced an exacerbation or an upper respiratory tract infection in the preceding 28 days, and who had a post-bronchodilator FEV1 ≥40% predicted were enrolled. A Norditalia ultrasonic nebuliser was used to deliver up to 3 5-minute nebulisations of 4.5% saline following inhalation of 400mcg Salbutamol. Induction was discontinued if FEV1 fell by more than 20% as compared with baseline; if the subject experienced discomfort due to wheeze, shortness of breath or chest tightness; or when three nebulisations had been administered or an adequate sputum sample had been obtained – whichever was sooner.ResultsSputum samples sufficient to prepare a cytospin slide were obtained in 43/45 patients. 6/43 patients required one 5-minute nebulisation, 19/43 patients required two 5-minute nebulisations and 18/43 patients required three 5-minute nebulisations. The sputum induction protocol was discontinued in 9 patients, either because FEV1 fell below 80% of the baseline value (n=7) or because the patient developed wheeze or chest tightness (n=2). Rescue medication was administered in 14/45 inductions. Only one patient developed an exacerbation that was attributed to preceding sputum induction.ConclusionsSputum induction with nebulised 4.5% saline is effective and well tolerated in patients with COPD. Sputum samples were obtained with less than three rounds of nebulisation using this protocol in the majority of COPD patients. ER -