Reference

Leroyer C, Perfetti L, Trudeau C, L'Archeveque J, ChanYeung M, Malo JL, Comparison Of Serial Monitoring Of Peak Expiratory Flow And FEV1 In The Diagnosis Of Occupational Asthma, Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 1998;158:927-832,

BOHRF Original Authors' Main Conclusions

The original authors' main conclusions are taken from Abstract, Results and Discussion. They are decided upon by the authors of the BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines and form part of the guidelines.

Peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring is often used to establish relationship between occupational exposure and asthma. FEV1 has been found to be a better physiologic index than PEF in the measurement of airflow obstruction. Study aimed to compare accuracy of serial monitoring of PEF and FEV1 in diagnosis of occupational asthma. 20 subjects referred for possible occupational asthma were asked to perform serial monitoring of PEF and FEV1. 2 sets of graphs were plotted for both PEF and FEV1 (graphs with best of all values and graphs with best of 2 reproducible values). 11 subjects had a positive inhalation challenge test. In the case of analysis of the graphs plotted with the best of all values, the sensitivity and specificity of the PEF recording was greater than sensitivity of the FEV1 recording. Authors concluded that unsupervised FEV1 is not more accurate than unsupervised PEF monitoring in the diagnosis of occupational asthma.

BOHRF Associated Evidence Statements

The BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines state that this reference is associated with the following evidence statements

Acceptable peak flow series can be obtained in around two thirds of those in whom a diagnosis of occupational asthma is being considered.

There is high level of agreement between expert interpretations of serial peak flow records.

The sensitivity and specificity of serial peak flow measurements are high in the diagnosis of occupational asthma

Statistical analysis of serial peak flow measurements is of limited diagnostic value compared to expert interpretation

Non Bohrf Information

This page is showing the information from the BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines for this reference. To see additional information, including opinions left by users of this website please view the full reference. This page allows users to comment on the reference and suggest it as evidence for questions. These may be the existing questions from the Bohrf occupational asthma guidelines or questions that have been put forward by users of this website.