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Published on: February 9, 2022
Airway resistance in children measured using the interrupter technique: reference values
Viviane Viegas Rech1, Paula Cristina Vasconcellos Vidal, Hilário Teixeira de Melo Júnior
1Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas, RS, Brasil.
Summary
Researchers established reference values for airway resistance in healthy Brazilian children using the interrupter technique. The study provides a prediction equation for interrupter resistance (Rint) adjusted for height, aiding in pediatric respiratory assessments.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- The interrupter technique offers a noninvasive method for assessing airway resistance (Rint).
- Establishing population-specific reference values is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation, especially in pediatric populations requiring minimal cooperation.
- Previous research has not defined Rint reference values for healthy children in Brazil.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine reference values for interrupter resistance (Rint) in healthy Brazilian children aged 3-13 years.
- To develop a prediction equation for airway resistance using the interrupter technique, adjusted for anthropometric factors.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted with 193 healthy preschool and school-aged children in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Interrupter resistance (Rint) was measured during peak expiratory flow.
- Statistical analyses included univariate and multiple linear regression to identify predictors of Rint.
Main Results:
- Height, weight, and age were found to be significant independent predictors of Rint in univariate analysis.
- Multiple regression analysis revealed height and weight as the sole significant, independent predictors of Rint.
- Collinearity was observed among height, weight, and age variables.
Conclusions:
- Reference values for Rint in healthy children were successfully established.
- A prediction equation for Rint, adjusted for height, was developed for the Brazilian pediatric population.
- This equation can aid in the assessment of airway obstruction in children.
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