engleski

SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF SPIROMETRY AND MAXIMAL EXPIRATORY FLOW-VOLUME CURVE IN ASTHMATIC AND HAEALTHY CHILDREN

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the routine spirometry tests (Forced vital capacity – FVC, Forced expiratory volume in one second – FEV1, Tiffeneau index (100FEV1/FVC) and Maximal expiratory flow-volume curve (expiratory flows after 75, 50 and 25 percent of FVC-MEF75, MEF50, MEF25). Total of 105 asthmatic children have been tested (group A) age: 6 – 18 years old (59 males and 46 females) in the asymptomatic period (2 or more months without any disorder). Total of 60 healthy children (24 males and 36 females – group H) did not differ statistically by their age, height and weight from the group A (they met the criterion of the GAP Conference on definition of the healthy child – Taussig L.M. et al. J. Pediatr 1980: 97:668-76). All measurements have been done by Pneumoscope (Jaeger). Values above 80% predicted by Knudson are considered as normal values (we did not find statistically important difference between Knudson's norms and our group H, which is in compliance with reference: Quanjer Ph.H. et al. ; 1989:2 Suppl 4: 184-261). Results: Table: Patients with abnormal parameters FVC FEV1 100FEV1/FVC MEF75 MEF50 MEF25 n % n % n % n % n % n % A male n=57 2 3 12 20 9 15 24 41 24 41 26 44 A female n=46 5 11 8 17 3 7 20 43 26 57 24 52 H male n=24 1 4 0 0 0 0 5 21 5 21 4 16 H female n=36 1 3 0 0 0 0 5 14 5 14 4 11 A = Asthmatic child, H = Healthy child The most sensitive tests (the greatest number of pathological findings in asthmatic group) are: MEF75, MEF50 and MEF25. The most specific tests (the fewest number of pathological findings in the group of healthy children) are: FEV1 and 100FEV1/FVC. Conclucion: Tests of forced expiratory flows when has been exhaled about 50% of the FVC are verry sensitive for small airways disease but are not specific enough.

Sensitivity; Specificyty; Flow-volume curve; Astma; Children

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