Effectiveness and Safety of Inhaling Hypertonic Saline in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: The use of inhaled hypertonic saline has been extensively documented in asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis and COPD as method of bronchial challenge and sputum induction, but studies that evaluated others endpoints are required. Objective: To analyse the effects of inhaling hypertonic saline compared with placebo with respect to functional exercise capacity, dyspnoea and quality of life. Design and Setting: This was a double-blind randomised parallel placebo-controlled trial, conducted at the Clínicas Integradas of the Evangelical Faculty of Paraná. Methods: sixty-eight patients (age 67 ± 6.5 years; FEV1 38.9 ± 16.2 predicted) were randomised to inhale 3% hypertonic saline (n=34) or placebo (n=34), combined with a program of exercise, three times a week, for 8-weeks. Results: After the 8-weeks the treatment period, both groups showed significant changes in functional exercise capacity (p\<0,001), dyspnoea (p\<0,001) and quality of life. When compared both groups, there was a significant improvement in placebo group in functional exercise capacity (p\<0,001). Conclusion: the present study concluded that inhaling HS reduces the functional capacity, compared to placebo and being associated with the appearance of coughs and bronchial spasms.