[Relation of peak flow and spirometry values in patients following bone marrow transplantation]

In about 30% of patients who were subjected to bone marrow transplantation, progressing interstitial and rarely obstructive pulmonary diseases can result in death. Early identification of curable diseases such as pulmonary changes during a "graft versus host reaction" would be desirable. Retrospective evaluation of 159 lung functions in 60 patients after bone marrow transplantation, however, revealed only moderate sensitivity of the peak flow value to vital capacity and FEV1, so that only pathological levels of this parameter will signify noticeable reductions in spirometric values.