Can experts agree on the interpretation of serial measurements of peak flow in the diagnosis of occupational asthma?

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3

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

Evidence

Baldwin DR, Gannon PFG, Bright P, Newton DT, Robertson AS, Venables KM, Graneek B, Barker RD, Cartier A, Malo JL, Wilsher M, Pantin CFA, Burge PS , Interpretation Of Occupational Peak Flow Records: Level Agreement Between Expert Clinicians And OASYS-2 , Thorax , 2002 ; 57 : 860-864

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

Liss GM and Tarlo SM , Peak expiratory flow rates in possible occupational asthma , Chest , 1991 ; 100 : 63-69

Malo JL, Cartier A, Ghezzo H, ChanYeung M , Compliance With Peak Expiratory Flow Readings Affects The Within- And Between-Reader Reproducibility Of Interpretation Of Graphs In Subjects Investigated For Occupational Asthma , J Allergy Clin Immunol , 1996 ; 98 : 1132-1134

Malo JL, Cote J, Cartier A, Boulet LP, L'Archeveque J, ChanYeung M , How Many Times Per Day Should Peak Expiratory Flow Rates Be Assessed When Investigating Occupational Asthma? , Thorax , 1993 ; 48 : 1211-1217

Perrin B, Lagier F, L'Archeveque J, Cartier A, Boulet LP, Cote J, Malo JL , Occupational Asthma: Validity Of Monitoring Of Peak Expiratory Flow Rates And Non-Allergic Bronchial Responsiveness As Compared To Specific Inhalation Challenge , Eur Respir J , 1992 ; 5 : 40-8

Zock JP, Brederode D, Heederik D , Between- And Within- Observer Agreement For Expert Judgment Of Peak Flow Graphs From A Working Population , J Occup Environ Med , 1998 ; 40 : 969-972