FEF25-75 as a Marker of Airway Obstruction in Asthmatic Children During Reduced Mite Exposure at High Altitude

Sensitivity of forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the vital capacity (FEF25-75) in detecting airway obstruction was investigated in 14 children with mild-moderate asthma, allergic to house dust mites, while at high altitude (1756 m). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of asthma 1997, Vol.34 (2), p.127-131
Main Authors: Valletta, E. A., Piacentini, G. L., Del Col, G., Boner, A. L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
25-75
Adolescent
Airway Obstruction - diagnosis
Allergic diseases
Altitude
Animals
Antigen avoidance
Asthma
Asthma - physiopathology
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers - analysis
Child
Children
FEF
Female
Forced Expiratory Volume - physiology
Humans
Immunopathology
Lung function
Male
Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate - physiology
Medical sciences
Mites - immunology
Respiratory and ent allergic diseases
Respiratory Sounds - diagnosis
Sensitivity and Specificity
Vital Capacity - physiology
Wheezing
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Summary:Sensitivity of forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the vital capacity (FEF25-75) in detecting airway obstruction was investigated in 14 children with mild-moderate asthma, allergic to house dust mites, while at high altitude (1756 m). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), FEF25-75, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured every 2 weeks for 12 weeks (total, 84 measurements). The presence or absence of wheezing at the chest auscultation was ascertained before each test. During the study period, a significant improvement of both mean (SD) FEF25-75 [61 (12)% vs. 68 (11)% of the predicted value, p = 0.005] and PEF [95 (16)% vs. 103 (1 3)%, p = 0.002] was observed. FEV1 changed only marginally [82 (7)% vs. 86 (6)%, p = 0.05]. Wheezing was present on 12/84 occasions. Wheezing was associated with abnormal FEF25-75 values on most occasions but not with abnormal FEV1 or PEF. FEF25-75 was decreased on 51% of days in which wheezing was absent. FEV1 and PEF were, respectively, normal in 69% (p < 0.0001) and 92% (p < 0.0001) of measurements in which FEF25-75 was abnormal. These results suggest that FEF25-75 may be considered a good indicator of airflow obstruction and a sensitive marker of respiratory improvement in asthmatic children during reduced antigen exposure.
ISSN:0277-0903
1532-4303
DOI:10.3109/02770909709075657