Objective: To assess the frequency of variation in forced expiratory volume in one second after bronchodilator use in a sample of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, correlating such variation with clinical and demographic variables and evaluating the frequency of response presented in forced vital capacity, slow vital capacity, inspiratory capacity, residual volume, airway resistance and specific airway conductance. Methods: A total of 64 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were submitted to whole body plethysmography, and reversibility of bronchoconstriction after the administration 400 µg of fenoterol was quantified. Results: A response in forced expiratory volume in one second was observed in 31% of the patients. Excluding patients presenting a response in forced expiratory volume in one second, 5% presented responses in 5 of the other 6 parameters, 10% presented responses in 4 parameters, 17.5% in 3 parameters, 27.5% in 2 parameters, and 25% in only 1 parameter. Conclusion: When included in the evaluation of bronchodilator response together with forced expiratory volume in one second, static lung volumes, airway resistance and airway conductance allowed a broader evaluation of those patients presenting a functional pharmacodynamic response. These results are in accordance with the observation that bronchodilator use provides clinical improvement and relief of dyspnea to many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, even to those in whom such treatment leads to no improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second.

Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive/drug therapy; Bronchodilator agents/therapeutic use; Airway resistance/drug effects; Respiratory function tests; Vital capacity; Forced expiratory volume