Introduction: Obstructive airway disease is characterized by reversibility on bronchodilator therapy measured by pulmonary function tests; however this is not often seen is restrictive diseases. We studied the clinical significance of bronchodilator reversibility in patients of restrictive pattern of spirometry. Materials and Methods: 30 patients with restrictive spirometry having significant bronchodilators response, were included in our study. Restiction was defined as decreased FVC and FEV1, with normal FEVI/FVC and a bronchodilator response as improvement of 12% and 200ml in FEV1 and FVC. Patients demographics, clinical history, treatment history, X-Ray characteristics, spirometry, diffusing lung capacity, and lung volumes measurements on Body Plethysmography were recorded. Results: The mean age was 48.60 + 14.06 years, majority of the patients were male 70 % and 22.23 + 3 .59 was females BMI slightly higher than males .40% were smokers, with shortness of breath the most common symptom, followed by cough, wheeze and chest pain..Asthma was the most common diagnosed medical condition and most of them were on bronchodialtors. The mean post bronchodilator FEV1% and FVC% was 66.88 + 24.28 and 70.95 + 24.99, with a reversibility of 12.91%.The FEV1/FVC% was 96.80+16.95. The mean TLC was normal whereas the RV, TLC, RV/TLC was increased. Conclusions: It can be concluded that post bronchodilator reversibility in patients of restrictive spirometry may be because of decrease elastic recoil resulting in early airway closure leading to air trapping and low FVC. Even though the numbers of such patients are low if symptomatic they would be benefited with bronchodilator therapy.
