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Asthma-like peak flow variability in various lung diseases.
Virendra Singh1, Pradeep Meena, Bharat Bhushan Sharma
1Division of Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College Hospital, Jaipur, India.
Lung India : Official Organ of Indian Chest Society
|February 21, 2012
Summary
Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) variability and bronchodilator reversibility are elevated in various lung diseases beyond asthma. Some patients with bronchiectasis and post-tubercular lung disease exhibit asthma-like patterns.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Bronchodilator reversibility and diurnal peak flow variability are hallmarks of asthma.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) typically shows poor reversibility.
- Patterns of reversibility and variability in other obstructive lung diseases are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess bronchodilator reversibility and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) variability in patients with diverse lung diseases causing airflow obstruction.
- To identify characteristic patterns of these parameters in different pulmonary conditions.
Main Methods:
- Seventy patients with airflow obstruction (asthma, bronchiectasis, post-tubercular lung disease [PTLD], COPD) and 10 healthy controls were studied.
- Bronchodilator reversibility tests were performed.
- Patients self-monitored PEFR daily for one week, with mean amplitude percentage analyzed.
Main Results:
- Mean peak flow variability was highest in asthma (14.73% ± 6.1%), followed by bronchiectasis (11.98% ± 7.5%) and PTLD (10.54% ± 5.3%).
- No statistically significant difference in PEFR variability was found between asthma and bronchiectasis.
- Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) reversibility varied across groups, with healthy subjects showing the lowest (5.47% ± 4.99%).
Conclusions:
- Both bronchodilator reversibility and diurnal PEFR variability are increased in various lung diseases compared to healthy individuals.
- While characteristic of asthma, bronchiectasis and PTLD patients can also display asthma-like PEFR variability and reversibility.
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