What is the feasibility of obtaining serial measurements of peak flow in workers suspected of having occupational asthma?

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3

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

Evidence

Cote J, Kennedy S, ChanYeung M , Sensitivity And Specificity Of PC20 And Peak Expiratory Flow Rate In Cedar Asthma , J Allergy Clin Immunol , 1990 ; 85 : 592-598

Cote J, Kennedy S, ChanYeung M , Quantitative Versus Qualitative Analysis Of Peak Expiratory Flow In Occupational Asthma , Thorax , 1993 ; 48 : 48-51

Henneberger PK, Stanbury MJ, Trimbath LS, Kipen HM , The use of portable peak flowmeters in the surveillance of occupational asthma , Chest , 1991 ; 100 : 1515-1521

Hollander A, Heederik D, Brunekreef B , Work-Related Changes In Peak Expiratory Flow Among Laboratory Animal Workers , Eur Respir J , 1998 ; 11 : 929-936

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

Malo JL, Trudeau C, Ghezzo H, L'Archeveque J, Cartier A , Do Subjects Investigated For Occupational Asthma Through Serial Peak Expiratory Flow Measurements Falsify Their Results? , J Allergy Clin Immunol , 1995 ; 96 : 601-607

Quirce S, Contreras G, Dybuncio A, ChanYeung M , Peak Expiratory Flow Monitoring Is Not A Reliable Method For Establishing The Diagnosis Of Occupational Asthma , Am J Respir Crit Care Med , 1995 ; 152 : 1100-1102

Redlich CA, Stowe MH, Wisnewski AV et al , Subclinical Immunologic And Physiologic Responses In Hexamethylene Di-isocyanate - Exposed Auto Body Shop Workers , Am J Ind Med , 2001 ; 39 : 587-597

Revsbech P, Anderson G , Diurnal Variation In Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Among Grain Elevator Workers , Br J Ind Med , 1989 ; 46 : 566-569