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| UDK 616.248-053.2 | ISSN 0350-2899, 33(2008) br.3-4 p.88-93 | ||||||||||
| Original paper
Reliability of peak expiratory flow measurement
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| Summary: The most available test of pulmonary function for ambulatory care in pediatric practice is peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurement. The aim of this study is to establish the degree of correlation between pulmonary function parameters: PEF obtained by peak flow meters and others obtained by spirometer (FEV1, PEF, MEF50 and MEF25), as well as to estimate the clinical message obtained by PEF about medium and peripheral airways in asthmatic children. Pulmonary function parameters were obtained in measurements done on children aging 5-16 by means of simultaneous on peak flow meter and spirometer application. The following tests were used for PEF validity estimation: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). In terms of statistic, there is a highly significant correlation (p<0,001) between PEF values obtained by peak flow meter and spirometric parameters of pulmonary function (FEV1, PEF, MEF50 and MEF25). Lowered PEF reading (<80%) is associated with lowered values of FEV1 with 48% probability (PPV). PEF is a better predictor of normal than of lowered FEV1values (NPV: 90%). Lowered PEF readings (<80%) reveal 75% of lowered FEV1values, 64% of lowered MEF50 values and 58% of lowered MEF25 values. However, it also indicates, with high probability, that there are lowered values of parameters reflecting the condition in small airways (PPV 92%, i.e. 81% for MEF25 and MEF50). If there is a higher degree of airflow obstruction, we should be more careful in the acceptance of normal PEF value validity for small airflow function estimation. PEF measurement can roughly estimate the degree of obstruction during asthma attack, but for a precise estimation of pulmonary function there is a need for condition analysis in small airways by flow-volume curve. Key words: peak expiratory flow, asthma, children, pulmonary function Napomena: kompletan tekst rada na srpskom jeziku Note: full text in Serbian |
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Corresponding Address: Dragana Stamatović Kolubarske bitke 26, 37000 Kruševac tel +381(37)423232; mob +381(63)615174 e-mail: primumvivere@ptt.rs Paper received: 29.10.2008 Paper accepted: 24.11.2008 Published online: 26.01.2009 |
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