Background and objective We have explored whether assessing the degree of concavity in the descending limb of the maximum expiratory flow-volume curve enhanced spirometric detection of early small airway disease. Methods We used spirometry records from 890 individuals aged ≥40 years (mean 59 years), recruited for the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease Australia study. Central and peripheral c...

The utilisation of nocturnal wheeze monitoring and quantification for assessment of asthma activity was studied in symptomatic school-aged children before and during treatment. Twelve children 6-14 yrs of age with mild or moderate untreated asthma were studied at home three times: before, 48 h and 6 weeks into treatment with 5 mg montelukast daily. Lung sounds were recorded overnight by an auto...

BACKGROUND It was reported that autonomic nervous system function is altered in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated short- and long-term fractal exponents of heart rate variability (HRV) in COPD subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed data from 30 volunteers, who were divided into two groups according to spirometric values: COPD (n = 15) and control (n ...

BACKGROUND The influence of exercise on the pulmonary function is controverse, some studies have reported no sports influence, while the others have found positive correlation. AIM To evaluate and compare the sports influence on pulmonary function: spirometry (VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC), lung diffusing capacity (DLCO) and coefficient of the CO gas transfer (KCO) in two elite athletes groups and...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine anthropometric indicators associated with dyspnea and spirometric parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional and observational study was carried out on 88 patients with COPD, who were visited in an outpatient respiratory clinic of a university hospital during two months. Patient hei...

Cement dust exposure is associated with increased respiratory impairment. As the major occupational hazard in the cement production industry is cement particles, our aim was to more thoroughly examine the acute effects of occupational exposure to cement dust on the respiratory system. A cross-shift study was conducted in a cement factory in Iran. 100 high exposed workers from production and pac...