BACKGROUND Using peak expiratory flow (PEF) as an alternative to spirometry parameters (FEV1 and FVC), for detection of airway reversibility in diseases with airflow limitation is challenging. We developed logistic regression (LR) model to discriminate bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) and then compared the results of models with a performance of >18%, >20%, and >22% increase in ΔPEF% (PEF ch...

Forced expiratory spirograms were obtained before and for six hours after 25 subjects ingested ephedrine and placebo in a double-blind crossover study. Significant changes in the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0) were noted on days when ephedrine was administrated, while the mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC (FEF25-75...

A 31-year-old man was referred to the pulmonary outpatient clinic for evaluation of difficult breathing of 1 year in duration. He was well until a year prior to consultation when noisy breathing developed, which was followed 6 months later by progressive shortness of breath. At the time of his evaluation, he was unable to walk a full city block. He had occasional cough productive of clear sputu...

OBJECTIVE To assess the repeatability and validity of the IUATLD respiratory symptoms questionnaire in relation to exercise-induced bronchoconstriction or bronchodilator responses in a community in southern Ethiopia. DESIGN A case-control study. SETTING Rural and small town setting in southern Ethiopia, April to May 2006. SUBJECTS Two hundred and forty seven adults and children who previo...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess and compare the effectiveness of lidocaine and bronchodilator inhalation treatments for rapid cough suppression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS Prospective comparison study carried out in a tertiary emergency department. Consecutive COPD patients presenting with intractable cough were randomly assigned to receive lid...

BACKGROUND Asthma diagnosis in preschoolers is mostly based on clinical evidence, but a bronchodilator response could be used to help confirm the diagnosis. The objective of this study is to evaluate the utility of bronchodilator response for asthma diagnosis in preschoolers by using spirometry standardised for this specific age group. METHODS A standardised spirometry was performed before an...