Maximum mid expiratory flow rate: a better index of detection of early small airway obstuction than FEV1 in healthy smokers

Expiratory spirometry was performed on forty Male asymptomatic smokers of different age groups. Maximum Mid expiratory flow rate [MMFR] and forced expiratory volume first second [FEV1] were recorded. It was found that MMFR shows a significant decrease in smokers as compared to the control subjects; FEVI was found to be within normal predicted values in most of the cases. These results suggest that MMFR is a more sensitive and better test in detecting early changes in the small airways of healthy smokers than FEVI