Ventilatory function measured with the Micro Spirometer: performance evaluation and reference values

The performance of the Micro Spirometer was compared with that of the Vitalograph by assessing the extent of agreement between the instruments and the repeatability of measurements with each instrument. The Micro Spirometer tended to give lower readings of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) than the Vitalograph, with wide limits of agreement. The values of these ventilatory functions measured with the Micro Spirometer were, therefore, not directly comparable with those obtained from the Vitalograph, and it is also not satisfactory to predict readings on the Micro Spirometer from those made on the Vitalograph. In the management of asthma patients, the PEFR would still be preferably measured with the mini Wright peak flow, given its low cost and established reliability compared with the standard Wright peak flow meter. The Micro Spiromoter has the practical advantages of portability, ease of operation and relative cheapness for the baseline and long-term assessment of FEV1 and FVC in ambulatory care, as well as in epidemiological studies. However, local users should not employ reference values provided by the manufacturer or those published in the literature, but those reported in this paper.