A forced expiration end-segment flow rate to improve diagnosis of reversible bronchial obstruction: a spirographic...

An inhalatory bronchodilatory test was performed in two groups of 130 healthy and 89 asthmatics comparable in age, height and weight. All were males aged about 20 years. The bronchodilatory response was assessed by the percent increase after bronchodilation of FEV1, MEF200-1200, MMEF25-75 MEF50-75 (E50-75) and MEF75-90--at last three flow rate percent increases measured before and after bronchodilation at the same level of control FVC. It was found that only MEF75-90, measured as described, could probably significantly improve the diagnostic value of a bronchodilatory test if used in cases in which the FEV1 percent increase remains within the normal range.