BUSPIRONE EFFECT ON BREATHLESSNESS AND EXERCISE PERFORMANCE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE

Buspirone is an anxiolytic agent that appears to have no sedative effe cts. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of buspirone on b reathlessness and exercise tolerance in patients with chronic airway o bstruction. Sixteen patients, age 56.9 +/- 17.0; forced expiratory vol ume in 1 s (FEV1) 1.15 +/- 0.42 l; FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) 50 .7 +/- 15.0%; PaCO2 42.2 +/- 5.5 mm Hg; and PaO2 57.6 +/- 10 mm Hg, un derwent a 6-min walking test, an incremental cycle ergometer test, an incremental treadmill walking test with self-assessment of dyspnea on Borg's scale during exercise and an assessment of respiratory drive (P 0.1), timing [inspiration time (T(I))/total breathing time (T(tot))], PaO2, PaCO2, FVC, FEV1, following oral administration for 14 days of placebo or buspirone (20 mg daily) in a double-blind, cross-over rando mized way. We also used the symptom check list-90-R for the assessment of subjective complaints and symptomatic behavior. A significant impr ovement in anxiety, depression and obsessive symptoms and complaints w as noted after buspirone treatment. The P 0.1, T(I)/T(tot), arterial b lood gases and respiratory mechanics did not change after drug treatme nt. There was an improvement in exercise tolerance and in the sensatio n of dyspnea during the buspirone period. Thus, as given in this study , oral buspirone has therapeutic potential in the treatment of dyspnea in patients with chronic lung disease.