Evaluation of Change of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) in Male Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseased (COPD) Patients

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem which causes high health care utilizations, poor health-related quality of life, and substantial cost burden and deaths in worldwide. This study was done to evaluate the changes of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in COPD patients in comparison to healthy person. This analytical type of cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from July 2018 to June 2019. A total number of 160 male subjects, age ranged from 30-70 years was included in this study. Among them, eighty (80) male COPD subjects were taken as study group (Group II) and eighty (80) age matched male healthy subjects were taken as control group (Group I). PEFR was assessed by peak flow meter. Data were expressed as mean ±SD and statistical significance of difference among the group was calculated by unpaired students' 't' test. The mean ±SD of PEFR of Group I and Group II were 432.75±30.23 L/min & 203.5±20.81 L/min respectively. The mean ±SD of PEFR significantly lower in study group in comparison with control group. Patients with COPD with greater changes in PEFR causes more frequent hospitalization and increased mortality and morbidity due to COPD related complications. So, assessment of this parameter is important for early detection and prevention of complications related to COPD for leading a healthy life.