In studies with a long-term follow-up, peak expiratory flow (PEF) meters are often used to assess bronchial obstruction. The question arises whether data obtained with these frequently used meters are still reliable after several years of use, and whether the old meters should be renewed after a certain period. In the present study, we tested the reliability of PEF values measured with mini-Wri...

Introduction: Ramadan is the 9th  Islamic lunar month during which Muslims avoid eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.  The effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on asthma control is controversial.  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on the spirometric variables and clinical symptoms on well-controlled asthmatic patients during Ramadan. Material and M...

BACKGROUND Currently, functional assessment to monitor therapeutic response in feline lower airway disease (FLAD) has limited application. OBJECTIVES To evaluate if expiratory indices derived from pseudo-tidal breathing flow-volume loop (pTBFVL) representing lower airway obstruction would decrease after clinical improvement and to investigate the correlation between functional phenotype and i...

The effects of treatment with budesonide (200 micrograms twice daily) and terbutaline (500 micrograms four times daily) has been compared with the effects of placebo and terbutaline in 27 children with mild asthma, aged 7-14 years, in a double blind, randomised placebo controlled study over eight weeks. Bronchial responsiveness (PC20 histamine), lung function, the amplitude of diurnal variation...

There are increasing numbers of devices coming onto the market for measuring PEP and of papers assessing their performance. In these papers a number of different ways of calibrating the devices have been used, as discussed in your correspondence columns [1]. What is the best way to calibrate a peak flow (PP) meter for clinical use? It seems not to be realized that compared with a large pneumota...

Spirometry and peak flow measurements traditionally depend on different forced expiratory manoeuvres and have usually been performed on separate, dedicated equipment. As spirometry becomes more widely used in primary care settings, the authors wished to determine whether there was a systematic difference between peak expiratory flow (PEF) derived from a short sharp exhalation (PEF manoeuvre) an...

We investigated whether exacerbation frequency in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was related to an exponent α which quantifies self-similarity in daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) and is calculated using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). We examined data from COPD patients who recorded an increase in respiratory symptoms and post-bronchodilator PEF on daily diary cards. We also...

Little is known about the response of variable orifice peak flow meters to high frequency flow input. The purpose of this study was to define and test dynamic requirements for such peak flow meters. In a population sample we measured peak expiratory flow (PEF), rise time (tr), from 10-90% PEF and the duration of the flow in excess of 97.5, 95 and 90% of PEF, by use of a carefully calibrated Fle...

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and applicability of a portable electronic peak flow meter combined with an asthma monitor (AM1, Jaeger, Germany) which measures peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). The technical accuracy in PEF, FEV1 and FVC measurement was tested according to American Thoracic Society (ATS) ...

Inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists effectively control asthma symptoms and improve airway function. The effects of beclomethasone were compared with those of salmeterol on markers of eosinophilic inflammation in induced sputum in steroid-naive asthmatic subjects with moderate asthma. Fifteen moderate asthmatics were treated with either beclomethasone dipropionate (500 microg...