• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.1000-1011
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• 1998

Background: For the diagnosis or evaluation of airway obstruction in bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive lung disorders, various parameters derived from the forced expiratory volume curve and maximal expiratory flow volume curve have been used. Recently the peak expiratory flow(PEF) measured by the peak flow meter is widely used because of its simplicity and convenience. But there were still no data of the predicted normal values measured by the peak flow meter in Korea. This study was to obtain the predicted normal value of PEF and to know the accuracy of this value to predict $FEV_1$. Method: The measurements of PEF by the MiniWright peak flow meter and several parameters derived from the forced expiratory volume and maximal expiratory flow volume curves by the Microspiro HI 501(Chest Co.) were done in 129 men and 125 women without previous history of the respiratory diseases. The predicted normal values of parameters according to the age and the height were obtained, and the regression equation of $FEV_1$ by PEF was calculated. Results: The predicted normal values of PEF(L/min) were -2.45$\times$Age(year) +1.36 $\times$ Height(cm)+427 in men, and -0.96 $\times$ Age (year) + 2.01 $\times$ Height (cm) + 129 in women. FEFmax derived from the maximal expiratory flow volume curve was less than by 125 L/min in men and 118 L/min in women respectively compared to PEF. $FEV_1$(ml) predicted by PEF was 5.98 $\times$ PEF(L/min) + 303 in men, and 4.61 $\times$ PEF(L/min) + 291 in women respectively. Conclusion : The predicted normal value of PEF measured by the peak flow meter was calculated and it could be used as a standard value of PEF while taking care of patients with airway obstruction. $FEV_1$, the gold standard of ventilatory function, could be predicted by PEF to a certain extent.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.232-239
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• 2001

Background : Asthmatic patients frequently suffer cold-weather-associated respiratory symptoms. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and diagnostic value of isocapnic hyperventilation of cold air(IHCA) using a multistep method, was investigated in patients suspected to have asthma. Method : One hundred and 29 adult patients who had an IHCA performed between july 1999 and December 2000, had an methacholine bronchoprovocation test because of a clinical suspicion of asthma. Results : According to strict criteria, 50 were defined as asthmatics and 79 as symptomatic nonasthmatics. There were no differences in age, sex and smoking state between the asthmatic and symptomatic nonasthmatic groups. There was a significant decrease in the percentage reduction in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second($FEV_1$) after the IHCA between the asthmatics($-10.0{\pm}6.8%$) and the symptomatic nonasthmatics($-2.3{\pm}2.5%)$. The factors associated with a reactivity to IHCA were $FEV_1$/FVC, $FEF_{25-75}$%/FVC and $FEV_1$(% of predicted). The accuracy was highest using a 7% fall in $FEV_1$ ; the sensitivity was 76% and the specificity 96%. Conclusion : IHCA is a specific, although not a sensitive, test for diagnosing asthma in adult patients. Furthermore, the diagnostic cut-off value of the different methods of IHCA need to be determined.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.210-218
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• 2003

Background : Sex specific cross sectional reference values for the lung function indices usually employ a linear model with a term for age and height. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the body mass index (BMI), the fat percentage of the body mass and the fat-free mass index (FFMI) on the forced expiratory volume curve. Methods : Between January 2000 and December 2001, a total of 300 subjects, 150 men and 150 women (mean age : $45{\pm}13$ years), with a normal lung function were enrolled in the study sample. This study measured the $FEV_1$, FVC and $FEF_{25-75%}$ from the forced expiratory volume curve by a spirometer and the body composition by a bioelectrical impedance method in all subjects. Multiple regression analysis was used in order to examine the effects of the body composition on the parameters derived from the forced expiratory volume curve. Results : After adjusting for age, the BMI and Fat percentage improved the descriptions of the FVC (p<0.05, $r^2=0.491$) and $FEV_1$ (p<0.05, $r^2=0.654$) in women. In contrast, the FFMI contributed significantly to the FVC (p<0.05, $r^2=0.432$) and $FEV_1$ (p<0.05, $r^2=0.567$) in men. The $FEF_{25-75%}$ correlated with the fat percentage in women (p<0.05, $r^2=0.337$). Conclusion : These results suggest that the BMI, the fat percentage and the FFMI are significant determinants of the forced expiratory volume curve. The plmonary function test, when considering the BMI, the fat percentage and the FFMI, might be useful in clinical applications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.5
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• pp.433-440
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• 2012

Background: The pulmonary function test is the most basic test method to diagnosis lung disease. The purpose of this study was to research the correlation of the body mass index (BMI), the fat percentage of the body mass (fat%), the muscle mass, the fat-free mass (FFM) and the fat-free mass index (FFMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), on the forced expiratory volume curve. Methods: Between March and April 2009, a total of 291 subjects were enrolled. There were 152 men and 139 female (mean age, $46.3{\pm}9.92$ years), and they were measured for the following: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 second ($FEV_1$), and forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC ($FEF_{25-75}$) from the forced expiratory volume curve by the spirometry, and the body composition by the bioelectrical impedance method. Correlation and a multiple linear regression, between the body composition and pulmonary function, were used. Results: BMI and fat% had no correlation with FVC, $FEV_1$ in male, but FFMI showed a positive correlation. In contrast, BMI and fat% had correlation with FVC, $FEV_1$ in female, but FFMI showed no correlation. Both male and female, FVC and $FEV_1$ had a negative correlation with WHR (male, FVC r=-0.327, $FEV_1$ r=-0.36; p<0.05; female, FVC r=-0.175, $FEV_1$ r=-0.213; p<0.05). In a multiple linear regression of considering the body composition of the total group, FVC explained FFM, BMI, and FFMI in order ($r^2$=0.579, 0.657, 0.663). $FEV_1$ was explained only fat% ($r^2$=0.011), and $FEF_{25-75}$ was explained muscle mass, FFMI, FFM ($r^2$=0.126, 0.138, 0.148). Conclusion: The BMI, fat%, muscle mass, FFM, FFMI, WHR have significant association with pulmonary function but $r^2$ (adjusted coefficient of determination) were not high enough for explaining lung function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.517-528
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• 1985

Pulmonary function studies today are generally accepted as an integral part of the evaluation of poor-risk patients who are to have pulmonary surgery. The effect of various pulmonary surgery on lung function was investigated in 54 patients in whom comprehensive lung function test were performed before and between 2 months and 14 months after operation at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital. According to the result of analysis, the effect of pulmonary resection on forced flow rate was keeping with the change of lung volume, and the preoperative level of ventilatory function plays a major role in determining postoperative loss of functioning lung. Although all measures of expiratory flow [FVC, FEV1, FEFO.2-1.2, MEF50, FEF25-75] have the same percentage of reproducibility, but FEV1 shows most sensitive, reliable linear correlation with the functioning pulmonary tissue loss than other parameters. The linear regression lines derived from the correlation between preoperative [X] and postoperative [Y] FEV1 on various surgical procedures were as follows: 1. Y = 0.57X 0.03. in pneumonectomy group of lung cancer[r=0.84]. 2. Y = 0.56X + 0.33. in lobectomy group of lung cancer[r=0.79]. 3. Y = 0.69X + 0.25. in lobectomy group of pulmonary infection[r=0.91].

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.471-482
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• 1996

Early recognition of coalescence in pneumoconiotic lesions is important because such coalescence is associated with the respiratory symptoms and deterioration of lung function. This complicated form of pneumoconiosis also has worse prognosis than does simple pneumoconiosis. High resolution computerized tomography(HRCT) provides significant additional information on the stage of the pneumoconiosis because it easily detects coalescence of nodules and emphysema that may not be apparent on the simple radiograph. The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of HRCT in detection of large opacity and the relationship of change between the coalescence of nodules or emphysema and lung function in dust exposed workers. 1. There was good correlation between the HRCT grade of pneumoconiosis and ILO category of profusion. 5(9.09%) in 55 study population had confluent nodule extending eve, two o, more cuts on HRCT. HRCT could identify the pneumoconiotic nodules which was not found by simple radiogrphy in 6 workers with category 0/0. 2. No significant difference was observed coalescence of nodules and emphysema by dust type. 3. There was no significant difference in pulmonary function according to ILO and HRCT classification. 4. HRCT could detect the significant reduction in $FEV_1,\;FEV_1/FVC$, PEFR, $FEF_{25},\;FEF_{50},\;and\;FEF_{75}$ and remarkable increase in RV and TLC in study persons with emphysema compared with non-emphysema group. 5. Emphysema was found more often in nodules-coalescence group than small opacity group by HRCT. We found that HRCT could easily detect areas of coalescence and complicated emphysema compared to plain chest X-ray. Also our data suggest that it is primarily the degree of emphysema rather than the degree of pneumoconiosis that determines the level of pulmonary function.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.330-335
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• 2006

The present investigation was carried out to determine the efficacy and safety of Abutilon indicum (A. indicum) (Eng: Country Mallow, Fam: Malvaceae) in patients of bronchial asthma. Dried aerial parts of A. indicum were finely powdered and given in the dose of 1 gm tid to 30 patients of either sex in the range of 15 - 80 years with mild to moderate bronchial asthma with or without any concurrent medication. The respiratory functions (FVC, $FEV_{1}$, $FEF_{25-75%}$and MVV) were assessed using a spirometer prior to and after 4 weeks of treatment. Efficacy of the drug in improving clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks was evaluated by interviewing the patient and by physical and hematological examination at the end of the treatment. 4 weeks treatment with the drug showed statistically significant improvement in various parameters of pulmonary functions in asthmatic subjects. Also significant improvement was observed in clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks. None of the patient showed any adverse effect with A. indicum. The results of the present study suggest the usefulness of A. indicum in patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2004

Asthma is one of the important respiratory diseases requiring home self care usually performed by commercialized peak expiratory flow meter (PEFM). However, this simple device can measure only single parameter, PEF, due to its purely mechanical principle, significantly limiting desease management quality. The present study introduced a new expiratory flow measurement technique by miniatured air expansion chamber easily installed within PEFM. Continuous pressure signal obtained from the chamber demonstrated an accurate quadratic relationship with flow. The volume measurement error was $<{\pm}1%$ well within the American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria of 3%. Important spirometric parameters of FVC, PEF, and FEF25-75% were all accurately estimated with correlation coefficients > 0.95. The present technique obtains continuous expiratory air flow signal, making possible and convenient to perform spirometric test at home. Electronic interface capability would be also useful for remote asthma management.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.187-194
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• 1981

Cardiac surgery is generally followed by a period of routine ventilator support. When the patient seems hemodynamically stable and relatively alert following surgery, respiratory adequacy is tested by the weaning trial. In this study, physiological and clinical prediction of postoperative respiratory adequacy, including values of pulmonary function tests, were examined in an attempt to identity those few variables which predicted the outcome of the ventilator weaning trial following surgery. Our series comprised 27 patients who underwent elective open intracardiac operations at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, from October 1979 to July, 1980. The pulmonary function tests performed on all patients included the following; forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume [FEV1.0], forced expiratory flow [FEF 25--75~], residual volume [RV], and functional residual capacity [FRC], measured with a helium dilution technique. Of our 27 patients, 8 were successfully weaned within 20 hours of operation. All patients with cyanotic heart diseases or acquired heart diseases were unsuccessfully weaned. The bypass time in the successful weaning group was shorter in the mean value [82.8 minutes]than in the unsuccessful weaning group [120.5 minutes]. There was a relatively significant difference in the mean values for the two groups in arterial pressure, bleeding amounts and FiO2 among the postoperative monitoring variables, and in forced vital capacity [FVC]. The postoperative clinical assessments appeared vague but corresponded reasonably well to appraisal of success in weaning, especially in variables of cough and self-respiration efforts.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of present study was to investigate pulmonary function among smokers and non-smokers, and effect on respiratory muscle training in smoker. Methods : Twenty participants were allocated into smokers group(n = 10) and non-smokers group(n = 10). Pulmonary function was measured by spirometry(Pony FX, COSMED Inc., Italy). The smoker group was compared pulmonary function before and after respiratory muscle training. Results : The results were as follows; There was significant difference on PEF, FEV1/FVC%, FEF25~75%, MEF75% and MEF50% among smoker and non-smokers(p<.05). But, there was not significantly difference after intervention in smokers. Conclusion : The present study found that smoker decreased pulmonary function than non-smokers.