Falsely high peak expiratory flow readings due to acceleration in the mouth.

Method for manipulating peak flow measurements producing falsely raised readings.

Methods by which patients can artificially produce raised peak flow measurements have been described. We recently observed a patient manipulating the peak flow meter in a way that had not been described before. A study was therefore undertaken to determine if this technique could repeatedly produce clinically significant changes in peak flow readings. Fifteen adults, using a mini-Wright peak fl...

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Healthy Children from Tehran

Background: Measuring peak expiratory flow rate has been suggested as an important tool in asthma management by all international guidelines.  Objective: Studies on various populations have shown considerable variations in normal values of peak expiratory flow rate. Since reference standards for Iranian children are not available, the present study was performed to establish these standards. Me...

Normal measurement of peak expiratory Flow rate in the high school children in Babol, north of Iran

Background: Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is recommended as a tool for control of asthma. The purpose of this study was to determine the normal value of PEFR in the healthy high school children in Babol, Iran. Methods: This study was conducted on 470 healthy high school children (285 girls, 185 boys with the age between 14-18 years). For the determination of PEFR we used Mini Wright Peak Flo...

Peak expiratory flow. It's better to measure!

Peak expiratory flow at altitude.

The mini Wright peak flow meter is a useful, portable instrument for field studies but being sensitive to air density will under-read at altitude. True peak expiratory flow will increase at altitude, however, because of the decreased air density, given that dynamic resistance is unchanged. The effect of simulated altitude on peak expiratory flow (PEF) was determined in six subjects with both th...