Peak expiratory flow rate; the effect of smoking on younger & middle aged males.

A total of 80 male subjects in age group of 20-50 years were selected for the purpose of the study. They were divided in two groups, smokers and non smokers. Each group subdivided into age groups of 20-35 and 36-50 yrs. The criteria for smoking was about 5-10 cigarettes per day since 6-12 months. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (P.E.F.R.) was determined by using Wright’s peak flow meter. The results showed that in Non-Smoker of age group 20-35 years, (n= 30) the mean PEFR value was 535±50 L/min, whereas in age group 36-50 years, (n=15) the mean P.E.F.R value was 515±50 L/min. In Smokers of age group 20-35 years, (n=10) mean P.E.F.R. value was 374±128 L/min whereas in age group 36-50 years, (n=25) mean P.E.F.R. value was 357±86 L/min. This shows that in smokers P.E.F.R. value is lower compared to Non-smokers in both age groups and that P.E.F.R. is lower in the elder age group in comparison to younger age group.

An Evaluation of the Accuracy of Mini-Wright Peak Flowmeters in Patients with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 결핵

BACKGROUND: The peak flowmeter is very useful in monitoring of out-patients as well as those in emergency departments because of its convenience and simplicity with low cost. There have been many studies aimed at determining the accuracy and reproducibility of the peak flow meter in normal population. However, there is a paucity of reports regarding its accuracy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) or asthma. The accuracy of the peak expiratory flow(PEF) measured with a mini-Wright peak flowmeter was assessed by a comparison with the results of a mass flow sensor. METHODS: The PEF measurements were performed in 108 patients aged 19-82 years presenting with either a chronic obstructive lung disease or asthma before and after inhaling salbutamol. The PEF measurements from the mini-Wright flowmeter were compared with those obtained by the calibrated mass flow sensor. RESULTS: The average of the readings taken by the mini-Wright meter were 37-39 l/min higher than those taken by the mass flow sensor. The average percentage error of the mini-Wright meter were higher, ranging less than 300 l/min. The mean of the differences between the values obtained using both instruments (the bias)±limits of agreement(±2 SD) were 37.1±90 l/min for the PEF(p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The mini-Wright peak flowmeter overestimated the flows in patients with COPD or asthma. It was also found that the accuracy of the mini-Wright peak flowmeter decreased in its mid to low range. The limits of agreement are wide and the difference between the two instruments is signigicant. Therefore, the measurements made between the two types of machines in patients with asthma or COPD cannot be used in terchangeably.

Comparison of Mini-Wright Peak Flow Meter and Microplus Pocket Spirometer in Measuring Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) monitoring plays an important role in the diagnosis of airway obstruction and management of patients with bronchial asthma. This study compared the PEFR taken by a Microplus pocket spirometer and mini-Wright peak flow meter by assessing the extent of agreement between the instruments and the repeatability of measurements with each instrument. METHODS: Eighty healthy children (age 11-12 years, 43 females, 37 males) performed three PEFR maneuvers on the Microplus pocket spirometer and on the mini-Wright peak flow meter in a random order. Agreement and reproducibility between the two instruments were assessed by the statistical methods proposed by Bland and Altman. RESULTS: Seventy six (95%) of the PEFR taken by the mini-Wright peak flow meter were higher than that of Microplus pocket spirometer. The 95% limits of agreements (mean difference+/-2SD) between each instrument were very wide (2.7 to 144.3 L/min). The repeatability coefficient for the mini-Wright peak flow meter was 27 L/min and for the Microplus pocket spirometer was 33.5 L/min. Analysis by sex and order of usage did not show any significant differences. CONCLUSION: The limit of agreement between the Microplus pocket spirometers and the mini-Wright peak flow meter was too wide to use interchangeably.

An Evaluation of the Accuracy of Mini-Wright Peak Flow Meter / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Portable devices for measuring peak expiratory flow(PEF) are now of proved value in the diagnosis and management of asthma and many lightweight PEF meters have become available. However, it is necessary to determine whether peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) measurements measured with peak flowmeters is accurate and reproducible for clinical application. The aim of the present study is to define accuracy, agreement, and precision of mini-Wright peak flow meter(MPFM) against standard pneumotachygraph. METHODS: The lung function tests by standard pneumotachygraph and PEFR measurement by MPFM were performed in a random order for 2 hours in 22 normal and 17 asthmatic subjects and also were performed for 3 successive days in 22 normals. RESULTS: The PEFR measured with MPFM was significantly related to the PEFR and FEV1 measured with standard pneumotachygraph in normal and asthmatics(for PEFR, r=0.92 p0.05) and the coefficient of variation(2.4 1.2%) of PEFR measured with MPFM was significantly lower than that( 5.2 3.5%) with standard pneurnotachygraph in normal (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This results suggest that the MPFM was as accurate and reproducible as standard pneumotachygraph for monitoring of PEFR in the asthmatic subjects.

A study of predicted values of peak expiratory flow rates in primary school children

No abstract available.