无症状吸烟者的肺功能改变情况分析

目的:探讨烟龄≥15年,日吸烟量≥15支的无症状男性吸烟者的肺功能改变情况。方法:选择男性无症状吸烟者190人及非吸烟者180人,进行肺功能测定,并比较两组人群的肺功能改变情况。结果:吸烟组与非吸烟组比较,肺活量(VC)、用力肺活量(FVC)、第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、Tiffeneau 1秒率(FEV1/VC)结果改变不明显,而Gaensler 1秒率(FEV1/FVC)、最大分钟通气量(MVV)、用力呼气50%肺活量的呼气流量(FEF50%)、用力呼气75%肺活量的呼气流量(FEF75%)、呼出25%～75%肺活量时的平均流量(FEF25%～75%)、肺一氧化碳弥散量(DLCO)结果均有显著降低,有统计学意义。结论:通过对无症状吸烟人群肺功能测定结果进行分析。发现有些吸烟者虽无临床症状,但已经出现了小气道及肺弥散功能的损伤,提醒吸烟者应早期戒烟,关爱自身健康,净化生存环境,提高生活质量。     

儿童青少年肺通气功能预测的后向传播神经网络方法

本文旨在研究儿童青少年肺通气功能预测的后向传播神经网络(backpropagation neural network,BPNN)方法,以期得到更准确的肺通气功能预计值。样本数据包括内蒙古自治区10~18岁汉族健康儿童青少年999人(男性500人,女性499人),测量身高和体重,使用肺功能仪检测肺通气功能。利用BPNN和多元逐步回归,对用力肺活量(forced vital capacity,FVC)、用力呼气一秒量(forced expiratory volume in one second,FEV1)、最大呼气流量(peak expiratory flow,PEF)、用力呼出25%肺活量时呼气流量(forced expiratory flow at25%of forced vital capacity,FEF25%)、用力呼出50%肺活量时呼气流量(forced expiratoryflow at50%of forced vital capacity,FEF50%)、最大呼气中段流量(maximal mid-expiratory flow,MMEF)、用力呼出75%肺活量时呼气流量(forced expira...     

儿童青少年脂肪体重、去脂体重和肺通气功能的关系

本文旨在研究儿童青少年去脂体重(fat free mass,FFM)、脂肪体重(fat mass,FM)和肺通气功能的关系。随机抽取黑龙江省10～18岁健康儿童青少年1174人(男性583人,女性591人),测量身高、体重和腰臀比(waist to hip ratio,WHR),使用身体成分测量仪和肺功能仪分别测量FFM、FM和肺通气功能,采用独立样本t检验、偏相关和多元逐步回归分析FFM、FM和肺通气功能的关系。结果显示,无论性别,受试者年龄与去脂体重指数(FFM index,FFMI)呈正相关(P0.001)。男性年龄和脂肪体重指数(FM index,FMI)呈负相关(P0.001),女性年龄和FMI呈正相关(P0.001)。无论性别,受试者FFMI与用力呼气肺活量(forced vital capacity,FVC)、用力呼气一秒量(forced expiratory volume in one second,FEV1)、最大呼气流量(peak expiratory flow,PEF)、用力呼出25%肺活量时呼气流量(forced expiratory flow at25%of forced vital capacity,FEF25%)、FEF50%和最大呼气中段流量(maximum mid-expiratory flow,MMEF)都呈正相关(P0.05),与FEV1/FVC呈负相关(P0.01)。男性FFMI与FEF75%正相关(P0.05),女性FFMI与FEF75%不相关。男性FMI与FEV1、FEV1/FVC、PEF、FEF25%、FEF50%、FEF75%和MMEF呈负相关(P0.05),而与FVC不相关。女性FMI与肺通气功能的指标均不相关。除男性FEV1/FVC和FEF75%外,无论性别,FFMI对肺通气功能指标的预测作用大于FMI。FFMI对男性肺通气功能预测作用大于女性。男性肺功能突增发生在12～15岁:FVC较前一个年龄段分别增加10.05%、20.41%、11.75%和9.00%,FEV1分别较前一年龄段增加11.38%、20.07%、12.01%和9.14%。女性肺功能突增发生在12、13和18岁:FVC较前一年龄段分别增加13.73%、9.07%和9.76%,FEV1较前一年龄段分别增加13.17%、11.12%和10.62%。在肺功能突增期,无论性别,FFMI对肺功能的预测作用大于年龄的预测作用。综上所述,无论性别,反映骨骼肌力的FFM与肺通气功能呈正相关,对男性肺通气功能的预测作用大于女性。FM与男性肺通气功能呈负相关,而与女性肺通气功能不相关。在肺功能突增期,身高和FFM的快速增长可能是造成肺功能快速增长的主要原因。     

Wistar大鼠肺功能参考值范围测定

目的建立Wistar大鼠肺功能各项指标的参考值。方法用创体描法小动物肺功能检测仪检测大鼠肺功能各项指标,根据肺功能指标检测结果,通过统计分析,确定其参考值范围。结果 Ri（吸气阻力）为1.81（0.94~4.10）cm H2O/（mL·s）,Re（呼气阻力）为1.83（0.71~3.57）cm H2O/（mL·s）,Cl（肺顺应性）为0.15（0.05~0.29）mL/cm H2O,MVV（最大通气量）为144.65（77.28~256.20）mL/min,FVC（用力肺活量）为8.49（5.82~12.70）mL,Fev0.2（第0.2秒用力呼气容积）为5.72（3.62~7.01）mL,Fev0.2/FVC（第0.2秒用力呼出容积占用力肺活量百分比）为8.12（39.14~85.28）%,FEF（25~75）%（用力中期呼气流速）为34.11（28.25~46.87）mL/min。PEF（用力最大呼气流速）为38.28（30.75~50.25）mL/min。结论 Wistar大鼠肺功能指标的参考值范围可为临床和科研工作以及未来制定国家标准和规范提供参考依据。     

成年人脂肪体重、去脂体重和肺通气功能的关系

本文旨在研究分析成年人去脂体重(fat free mass,FFM)、脂肪体重(fat mass,FM)和肺通气功能的关系。随机抽取黑龙江省部分地区19~81岁健康成年人群1307人(男性372人,女性935人),测量身高、体重,采用身体成分仪和肺功能仪分别检测FFM、FM和肺通气功能,并采用Pearson相关分析、独立样本t检验和多元逐步回归等统计学方法分析FFM、FM和肺通气功能的关系。结果显示,无论性别,年龄均与脂肪体重指数(FM index,FMI)呈正相关(P0.001),去脂体重指数(FFM index,FFMI)和用力肺活量(forced vital capacity,FVC)、用力呼气一秒量(forced expiratory volume in one second,FEV1)、最高呼气流量(peak expiratory flow,PEF)、用力呼出25%肺活量时呼气流量(forced expiratory flow at25%of forcedvital capacity,FEF25%)均呈正相关(P0.01),FMI和FVC、FEV1、FEF75%呈负相关(P0.05)。男性FMI和最大呼气中段流量(maximal mid-expiratory flow,MMEF)呈负相关(P0.05)。无论性别,FFMI对于FVC作用大于FMI,而对于FEV1,男性FMI作用大于FFMI,女性则反之。无论性别,FFMI升高,PEF和FEF25%也升高,而FMI对二者无作用。无论性别,FMI升高,FEF75%降低,而FFMI对其无作用。FMI升高,男性MMEF降低,女性无明显改变。本研究结果表明,FFM和FM均是影响肺通气功能的独立因素,反映骨骼肌力的FFM与肺通气功能呈正相关,FM与肺通气功能呈负相关。FFM和FM对肺通气功能作用大小存在差别。     

变异性咳嗽病人肺通气功能检测结果分析

目的分析肺通气功能检测在变异性咳嗽患者诊断中的价值。方法选择2013年1~12月在我院呼吸科门诊确诊为变异性咳嗽的患者80例(发作组),行肺通气功能检测,内容包括用力肺活量(FVC),第一秒最大时间肺活量(FEV1)一秒率(FEV1/FVC)测定,呼气流量峰值(PEF%)和最大呼气中段流量(FEV25%,FEV50%,FEV75%)等指标,并与同期健康体检者50例(对照组)对照分析。结果发作组肺通气功能指标低于对照组,小气道指标FEV25%,FEV50%,FEV75%,MMEF较大气道指标FEV1,MEFV,FEV1/FVC下降较明显。结论肺通气功能的检测可以评价变异性咳嗽患者的小气道功能障碍,为其诊断和病情的动态观察提供依据。     

肺功能监测和CT肺功能成像检查结果的相关性分析

目的:探讨CT肺功能参数与肺功能检查参数的相关性及CT肺功能成像技术的可行性。方法:选取2011年7月至2015年6月在我院进行肺部检查的患者80例作为研究对象。所有患者均在1周内完成PFT和胸部CT检查。采用最大吸气末和最大呼气末屏气螺旋CT扫描。用CT肺功能定量软件分析CT扫描图像。结果:吸气末肺体积与PFT的最大肺总量明显相关,呼气末CT测得的肺体积与残气量、呼吸比与RV/TLC有相关性,吸气第1秒用力呼吸量(FEV1)/用力肺活量(FVC)存在相关性。像素指数(PI)=-910~-950 HU,与FEV1、FEV1%、FEV1/FVC及FVC%相关,其中与FEV1/FVC的相关性最大。呼气相平均CT值与FEV1、FEV1%、FVC%、FEV1/FVC存在相关性。呼气相CT各阈值与PFT参数均相关。结论:行螺旋CT扫描测得最大吸气末及最大呼气末与PFT结果相关性好,因此CT肺功能定量成像技术可能是一种良好的测定肺功能相关参数的技术。     

气管哮喘患者血清趋化因子CXCL12水平的表达及其与炎症因子和肺功能的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨支气管哮喘患者血清趋化因子CXCL12水平与炎症因子和肺功能的关系。方法：选择2017年10月至2019年10月我院收治的支气管哮喘患者共106例,其中急性发作期67例（急性发作组）、慢性持续期39例（慢性持续组）,另选择50例体检的健康志愿者为对照组,均进行血清CXCL12检测,分析CXCL12与炎症因子、肺功能、嗜酸性粒细胞（EOS）、免疫球蛋白E（IgE）、呼出气一氧化氮（FeNo）的相关性。结果：急性发作期组血清CXCL12、白介素-4（IL-4）、白介素-17A（IL-17A）、白介素-13（IL-13）、EOS、IgE、FeNO水平高于慢性持续期组和对照组（P＜0.05）,慢性持续期组血清CXCL12、IL-4、IL-17A、IL-13、EOS、IgE、FeNO水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）;急性发作期组第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV1）、第1秒用力呼气容积与用力肺活量比值（FEV1/FVC）、第1秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分数(FEV₁ %pred)低于慢性持续期组和对照组（P＜0.05）,慢性持续期组FEV FEV₁、FEV FEV₁/FVC、FEV FEV₁%pred低于对照组（P＜0.05）。多元线性回归分析结果显示血清CXCL12与支气管哮喘患者FEV FEV₁、FEV FEV₁/FVC呈负相关（P＜0.05）,与EOS、IgE、IL-4、IL-17A、IL-13呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：CXCL12在支气管哮喘进程中可能发挥促炎作用,血清CXCL12水平可反映患者病情严重程度和肺通气功能。     

间质性肺疾病患者生活质量与肺功能和焦虑抑郁情绪的关系及其影响因素分析

摘要 目的：探讨间质性肺疾病（ILD）患者生活质量与肺功能和焦虑抑郁情绪的关系及其影响因素。方法：选取2019年3月至2020年10月期间我院收治的100例ILD患者。比较ILD患者与一般人群的圣乔治呼吸问卷（SGRQ）评分、肺功能指标[第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV₁）、用力肺活量（FVC）、肺总量（TLC）及一氧化碳弥散量（DLCo）];观察患者的医院焦虑抑郁量表（HADS）评分（该评分包括焦虑和抑郁评分两部分）;分析ILD患者的SGRQ评分与肺功能指标,焦虑、抑郁评分的相关性;单因素、多因素Logistic回归分析ILD患者生活质量的影响因素。结果：ILD患者的SGRQ各维度评分及总分均高于一般人群,FVC、FEV₁、TLC及DLCo均低于一般人群（P<0.05）;ILD患者焦虑评分和抑郁评分均较高;ILD患者SGRQ各维度评分均与FVC、FEV1、TLC和DLCo呈负相关（P<0.05）,均与焦虑评分和抑郁评分呈正相关（P<0.05）。单因素分析结果显示,不同年龄、是否吸烟、不同收入情况的ILD患者生活质量有差异（P<0.05）;多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示DLCo、FVC、焦虑和抑郁情绪是ILD患者生活质量的影响因素（P<0.05）,其中焦虑情绪对其生活质量的影响最为显著。结论：ILD患者的生活质量与肺功能和焦虑抑郁情绪有关,提示临床工作中可通过干预ILD患者肺功能和焦虑抑郁情绪以改善其生活质量。     

类风湿性关节炎伴间质性肺病中肿瘤标志物对肺功能的影响分析

目的：探究类风湿性关节炎伴间质性肺病中肿瘤标志物对肺功能的影响。方法：选取2011年3月至2013年3月我院收治的类风湿性关节炎患者88例,根据其是否伴有ILD,分为RA组53例和RA-ILD组35例。检测两组肺功能指标用力肺活量（FVC）、1s用力呼气容积（FEV1）、最大通气量百分比（MVV）、一氧化碳弥散量（DLCO）,肿瘤标志物癌胚抗原CEA、癌抗原125（CA125）、癌抗原199（CA199）及抗环胍氨酸肽抗体（抗CCP抗体）的值,并利用统计学方法分析肿瘤标记物与肺功能指标、抗CCP抗体的相关性。结果：RA．ILD组FVC、FEV1、MVV、DLCO均比RA组低,CEA、CA125、CA199均比RA组高,结果比较差异显著具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。但两组抗CCP抗体含量相比却无明显差异,不具有统计学意义（P〉0．05）。相关性分析显示,CEA与FVC、FEV1、MVV、DLCO呈负相关（P〈0．05）,而CA125、CA199却与肺功能指标无相关性,CEA、CA125、CA199与抗CCP抗体均无相关性（P〉0．05）。结论：RA-ILD的肺功能指标均有明显下降,而肿瘤标志物表达水平却明显增高,CEA对肺功能损害影响较大,却与关节损害的关系不大,这为临床对类风湿性关节炎伴间质性肺病早诊断、早治疗提供了依据。     

Pioglitazone is as effective as dexamethasone in a cockroach allergen-induced murine model of asthma

Background

The aims of this study were to verify the feasibility of respiratory function tests and to assess their validity in the diagnosis of respiratory disorders in young children.

Methods

We performed spirometry and collected information on health and parents' lifestyle on a sample of 960 children aged 3–6.

Results

The cooperation rate was 95.3%. Among the valid tests, 3 or more acceptable curves were present in 93% of cases. The variability was 5% within subjects in 90.8% of cases in all the parameters. We propose regression equations for FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), FEV1, FEV0.5, FEV0.75 (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second, in half a second and in 3/4 of a second), and for Maximum Expiratory Flows at different lung volume levels (MEF75, 50, 25). All parameters are consistent with the main reference values reported in literature. The discriminating ability of respiratory parameters versus symptoms always shows a high specificity (>95%) and a low sensitivity (<20%) with the highest OR (10.55; IC95% 4.42–25.19) for MEF75. The ability of FEV0.75 to predict FEV1 was higher than that of FEV0.50: FEV0.75 predicts FEV1 with a determination coefficient of 0.95.

Conclusion

Our study confirms the feasibility of spirometry in young children; however some of the current standards are not well suited to this age group. Moreover, in this restricted age group the various reference values have similar behaviour.     

Long-term exposure to outdoor VOCs and lung function in urban adults: a cross-sectional study in Tabriz an industrialized city in the northwest of Iran

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of outdoor benzene, toluene, xylenes, and styrene (BTXS) on respiratory system performance in adults living in an industrialized city. The concentration of BTXS was measured in the three selected areas (low traffic, high traffic and industrial). Pulmonary function of totally 219 participants who have lived in the selected areas for at least five years, were evaluated through the spiromertry. Based on the results, significant differences were observed between the mean concentrations of BTXS (industrial area?>?high traffic area?>?low traffic area). Considerable decline of 0.46?L, 0.41?L, 2.99%, 0.9?L/min, and 0.59?L/s for Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Forced Expiratory Flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF_25–75%), respectively, were detected in industrial area residents compared to the low traffic region. In addition, some spirometric parameters were different between the other sampling sites. In conclusion, the results showed that the long term exposure to higher concentrations of BTXS increases respiratory dysfunction risks in industrial and high traffic areas respectively, as compared with living in the low traffic region.     

Circadian variability in airways characteristics: A spirometric study

ABSTRACT

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Asthma patients exhibit exacerbation of symptoms in night hours and early morning. Temporal variability in airway caliber have been reported in past using peak expiratory flow rate which represents large airways caliber, while in COPD and Asthma, smaller airways are particularly affected. We studied circadian variability of airway caliber using Forced Expiratory Volume in the First Second (FEV1) and Mid Expiratory Flow rate.

Methods: Male volunteers (18–26 years), having similar daily routine were recruited. Spirometry was performed at 5: 00, 8:00, 11:00, 14:00, 17:00, 20:00 and 23:00 h. Data from 104 subjects was analyzed for diurnal variability parameters viz., amplitude percent mean and standard deviation percent of mean. For circadian rhythm Cosinor curve was fitted and rhythm characteristics in terms of MESOR, Amplitude and Acrophase were determined.

Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences in spirometric parameters measured at different time points during the day. In general, spirometric parameters follow a sinusoidal pattern and exhibit minimum values during night hours and maximum values during day time. FEV1 Cosinor rhythm was significant in 31% of subjects (Zero amplitude test). The distribution of acrophase revealed interindividual differences in chronophenotypes. Variability was minimum for FEV1% and maximum for FEF75 suggesting dynamic interplay of airway geometry and neuro-chemical influences.

Conclusion: The presence of different chronophenotypes in normal subjects suggests that the nocturnal asthma may also be a different phenotype. Availability of portable spirometers and home monitoring thus may be required for ascertaining chronophenotype and tailoring chronotherapeutic interventions.     

高原致适应剂新复方党参片预防急性高原反应的效果

目的:观察高原致适应剂新复方党参片对急性高原反应(AMS)的预防效果。方法:世居平原者驻守海拔1400m3个月的45名青年男性官兵,随机分为新复方党参片组(30人)和对照组(15人),采用单盲试验方法,于行军前5d开始分别口服新复方党参片和安慰剂片,乘车行军3d,于3700m习服4d,直至进驻高原(海拔5200m)第3天后停药,共服药15d。进驻高原后第1、3、5天,依国家军用标准GJB1098-91急性高原反应的诊断和处理原则,随访记录受试者的AMS症状,然后分度评分,检测受试者的心率(HR)、血氧饱和度(SaO2)。进驻高原后第6天,检测用力肺活量(FVC)、1秒用力呼气量(FEV1.0)、FEV1.0/FVC,一秒率(FEV1%)、最大呼气中期流速(FEF25%～75%)、呼气峰流速(PEF)、最大通气量(MVV)、左右手交叉敲击动作频率总次数(Ttis)、错误次数(Etis)、正确次数(Ctis)、平均时间(Atime)和数字记忆能力试验错误记忆次数总和(Sum)。结果:与对照组比较,进驻高原后第1、3、5d,新复方党参片组AMS症状显著减轻(P0.01);新复方党参片组与对照组的AMS程度分度分布不同(P0.01),新复方党参片组中症状较轻的(基本无反应、轻度反应)占比重较大,而对照组中症状较重的(中度反应、重度反应)占比重较大;新复方党参片组AMS发生率明显降低;与对照组比较,新复方党参片组的FVC、FEV1.0、FEF25%～75%、PEF、MVV升高有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01),FEV1%差异无统计学意义;与对照组比较,新复方党参片组的Ttis、Ctis增加(P0.05,P0.01),Atime减少(P0.05),Etis和Sum差异无统计学意义。结论:新复方党参片能减轻AMS的程度,减轻AMS的症状,降低AMS发生率;并能显著改善受试者的肺通气功能和手指运动能力。     

Smoking,lung function,and body weight.

In a cross-sectional study of steelworkers aged 45-55 years, smokers (n = 105; mean weight 76.1 kg) were found to weigh significantly less than non-smokers (n = 54; 81.6 kg) and ex-smokers (n = 51; 82.6 kg). The lower weight of smokers was attributable to a group with airflow obstruction (n = 37; forced expiratory volume in one second/vital capacity (FEV1/VC) less than 66%), who weighed less (4.8 kg; p less than 0.05) than smokers with normal FEV1/VC (n = 68). In smokers, but not in ex-smokers or non-smokers, body mass index and FEV1/VC ratio were closely related (r = 0.34; p less than 0.001). This association was apparently not due to an effect of body weight on lung function. Weight loss in smokers may be the consequence of impaired lung function or reflect the effect of cigarette smoking on both the respiratory tract and metabolism in susceptible subjects.     

吸入M3受体拮抗剂对稳定期COPD肺功能的影响

目的：评价噻托溴铵干粉剂对中、重度稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者肺功能的影响。方法：采用随机对照研究140例COPD患者,噻托溴铵组使用噻托溴铵干粉剂,对照组使用氨茶碱片,总观察时间12周,治疗前后测定肺功能。结果：治疗后噻托溴铵组深吸气量、第1秒用力肺活量和用力肺活量明显改善,分别增加了102mL,256mL和154mL,对照组改善不明显,仅分别增加了10mL,08mL,15mL。结论：噻托溴铵能改善中、重度稳定期COPD患者的肺功能,可提高患者的生活质量。     

Effects of prematurity and intrauterine growth on respiratory health and lung function in childhood.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether birth weight and gestational age are associated with respiratory illness and lung function in children aged 5-11 years. DESIGN--Cross sectional analysis of parent reported birth weight, gestational age, and respiratory symptoms; parental smoking and social conditions; forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory rates between 25% and 75% and 75% and 85% (FEF25-75 and FEF75-85), and height. SETTING--Primary schools in England and Scotland in 1990. SUBJECTS--5573 children aged 5-11 (63.3% of eligible children) had respiratory symptoms analysed and 2036 children (67.1% of eligible children) had lung function measured. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, occasional and frequent wheeze, cough first thing in the morning, and cough at any other time and lung function. RESULTS--Birth weight adjusted for gestational age was significantly associated with all lung function measurements, except FEF25-75. The association remained for FVC (b = 0.475, 95% confidence interval 0.181 to 0.769) and FEV1 (b = 0.502, 0.204 to 0.800) after adjustment for gestational age, parental smoking, and social factors. FEF75-85 was the only lung function related to gestational age. Respiratory symptoms, especially wheeze most days (adjusted odds ratio 0.9, 0.84 to 0.97) were significantly associated with prematurity. Every extra week of gestation reduced the risk of severe wheeze by about 10%. CONCLUSIONS--Lung function is affected mainly by intrauterine environment while respiratory illness, especially wheezing, in childhood is related to prematurity.     

Lung volume and spirometric standards for healthy female lifetime nonsmokers

The FRC, RV, VC, TLC, RV/TLC (%), FVC, FEV1.0, FEF25-75%, and FEV1.0/FVC (%) were measured in 161 South Australian females aged 18.4-81.2 yr using a Stead-Wells spirometer and helium analyzer. Multiple regression equations were generated to predict these lung volume and spirometric parameters from the best weighted combination of age, mass, standing height, and various other anthropometric variables (FRC: R = 0.715, SEE = 387 ml; RV: R = 0.684, SEE = 256 ml; VC: R = 0.815, SEE = 383 ml; TLC: R = 0.754, SEE = 468 ml; RV/TLC: R = 0.780, SEE = 4.2%; FVC: R = 0.839, SEE = 375 ml; FEV1.0: R = 0.869, SEE = 326 ml; FEV1.0/FVC: R = 0.644, SEE = 5.7%; FEF25-75%: R = 0.753, SEE = 802 ml/s). The range of normality for the lung volumes was defined as the predicted value plus or minus the 95% confidence interval (two-tailed test), and the lower limit of normality for the spirometric variables was designated as the predicted value minus the 95% confidence interval (one-tailed test). Cross-validation of other equations in the literature indicates that they are of limited use for the sample and instrumentation used in this study.     

Bronchial hyperreactivity and spirometric impairment in polysensitized patients with allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated in a group of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis alone impairment of spirometric parameters and high percentage of subjects with bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). The present study aimed at evaluating a group of polysensitized subjects suffering from allergic rhinitis alone to investigate the presence of spirometric impairment and BHR during the pollen season. METHODS: One hundred rhinitics sensitized both to pollen and perennial allergens were evaluated during the pollen season. Spirometry and methacholine bronchial challenge were performed. RESULTS: Six rhinitics showed impaired values of FEV1 without referred symptoms of asthma. FEF 25-75 values were impaired in 28 rhinitics. Sixty-six patients showed positive methacholine bronchial challenge. FEF 25-75 values were impaired only in BHR positive patients (p < 0.001). A significant difference was observed both for FEV1 (p < 0.05) and FEF 25-75 (p < 0.001) considering BHR severity. CONCLUSIONS: This study evidences that an impairment of spirometric parameters may be observed in polysensitized patients with allergic rhinitis alone during the pollen season. A high percentage of these patients had BHR. A close relationship between upper and lower airways is confirmed.