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Precision and accuracy of self-measured peak expiratory flow rates in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
G H Murata1, D J Lium, H K Busby
1Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the Department of Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87108, USA.
Background:
The precision and accuracy of self-measured peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) have not been determined for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods:
Twenty-eight male veterans recorded their PEFR twice daily, before and after bronchodilators, for 6 months. Spirometry was also done in the pulmonary function laboratory up to 11 times per patient during the observation period. A 4-week "baseline" was identified for each patient. Baseline coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated for the morning (AM) and evening (PM) PEFR, before (PRE) and after (POST) bronchodilators.
Results:
The baseline CVs for AMPRE, AMPOST, PMPRE and PMPOST were 14.9+/-6.9%, 12.6+/-5.6%, 14.9+/-4.8%, and 11.2+/-6.0%, respectively. There were strong correlations between self-measured PEFR and values obtained in the pulmonary function laboratory on the same day.
Conclusions:
Self-measured PFFRs are reasonably precise and accurate in patients with COPD.