Abstract: Objective:To explore the curative effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC)inhalation in the treatment of the elderly patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), and to clarify the application value of NAC in the regular treatment of the AECOPD patients. Methods:A total of 78 elderly patients with AECOPD were enrolled and randomly divided into control group(n=38) and NAC group(n=40). The patients in two groups all received regular treatment; the patients in NAC group received additional NAC inhalation (0.3 g, 2 times per day) while the patients in control group received normal saline inhalation. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂), forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1), forced expiratory volume in FEV1% predicted(FEV1%pred), the clinical COPD Questionnaire(CCQ) score, as well as the rates of intravenous steroid infusion, the incidence of hospital infection and the duration of hospitalization before and after treatment were recorded. Results:Compared with control group, the difference values of PaO₂ of the patients in NAC group was significantly increased(P=0.033),but there were no significant differences in the difference values of PaO₂,FEV1 and FEV1% pred(P>0.05);the CCQ score of the patients in NAC group was significantly higher than that in control group,and there was significant difference in the difference values(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the rates of intravenous steroid infusion,the incidence of hospital infection and the duration of hospitalization of the patients between two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion:NAC inhalation could apparently improve the PaO₂ and the clinical symptoms in the elderly AECOPD patients, but has no significant effects on the pulmonary function, the rate of intravenous steroid infusion,the incidence of hospital infection and the duration of hospitalization.

Key words: N-acetylcysteine, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary function, arterial blood gases