Low-dose theophylline in mild to moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A randomized clinical trial in China
BACKGROUND: Low-dose theophylline has anti-inflammatory effects, but its efficacy in mild to moderate COPD remains controversial. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is low dose theophylline effective and safe in patients with mild to moderate COPD? METHODS: change from baseline to 12 months and annual exacerbation rate. FINDINGS: = 0.607). In addition, the incidence of adverse events was comparable between both groups. INTERPRETATION: was observed, though its magnitude was limited. Larger trials are needed to further evaluate its potential to improve lung function in this population.
Authors
- Jieqi Peng
- Yinghua Ying
- Cuiqiong Dai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2439-3200)
- Ningning Zhao
- Heshen Tian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3037-7293)
- Yang Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0377-4338)
- Q S Wang
- Jianwu Xu
- Lingwei Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3567-0613)
- X. Wen
- Haiyan Zhao
- P. Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1191-4139)
- Jia Tian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7454-2518)
- Zhishan Deng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3836-7583)
- Qijian Cheng
- Youlan Zheng
- Li Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4603-2282)
- H J Yang
- Lifei Lu
- Fan Wu
- Zihui Wang
- Zhiyi He
- Shan Xiao
- Pixin Ran
- Jie Cao
- Shan Cai
Institutions
- Central South University (CN)
- Guangxi Medical University (CN)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
- Wenzhou Medical University (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (CN)
- Tianjin Medical University General Hospital (CN)
- Southern University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Guangzhou Experimental Station (CN)
- Longgang Central Hospital (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (CN)
- Second People Hospital of Hunan (CN)
- ShenZhen People’s Hospital (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of GuangXi Medical University (CN)
- First Hospital of China Medical University (CN)
- Xian Yang Central Hospital (CN)
- Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (CN)
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University (CN)
- Tongji Hospital (CN)
- Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (CN)
- Guangzhou Medical University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pulmonology
- Published
- 2026-04-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/25310429.2026.2652159
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 20.04
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China