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Pulmonary Function Tests in Childhood Asthma: Which indices are Better for Assessment of Severity?

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Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To study pulmonary function tests in childhood asthma and to determine which indices are better for assessment of severity.

Methods

This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study. All consecutive children aged between 5 and 15 y with mild and severe persistent asthma were enrolled. Children in whom diagnosis of asthma was doubtful and those with chronic lung disease or suppurative lung disease were excluded. Diagnosis and classification was based on GINA guidelines. Age-/sex-matched controls who did not have history of wheezing any time in the past were selected. Detailed spirometry was performed on all children enrolled using RMS HELIOS 401.

Results

A total of 144 children were enrolled in the study (48 children in each group, i.e., control, mild and severe). Mean age of the study population was 9.06 ± 2.604 y with M:F ratio of 1.9:1. Mean percent of predicted values of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF25–75, and PEFR in the control group was 94.83, 92.63, 103.25, 73.90, and 93.60; in the mild group was 90.58, 83.52, 111.10, 76.50, and 92.00; and in the severe group 57.56, 62.83, 92.85, 40.15, and 62.12, respectively. Values of all the indices decreased with increase in severity. FEV1 (95% CI: 0.884 to 0.971) having the highest correlation coefficient (−0.652) with respect to severity of asthma and FEV1/FVC having the least (−0.202). FEF25–75 (95% CI: 0.652 to 0.803) having a higher area under the curve, was a better spirometric parameter in predicting mild asthma.

Conclusion

FEV1 was better index for assessing severity of asthma and FEF25–75 better in predicting mild asthma.

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Acknowledgements

Director, Principal, Medical Superintendent, KIMS Hubli, Dr P. K. Wari, Professor and HOD, Pediatrics for allowing to conduct this study and their support during the study period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli, Karnataka, 580021, India

    Puneeth H. R., C. A. Gopalakrishna Mithra & Vinod H. Ratageri

Authors
  1. Puneeth H. R.
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  2. C. A. Gopalakrishna Mithra
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  3. Vinod H. Ratageri
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Contributions

VHR and PHR conceptualized and designed the study, analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript, CAGM collected the data, supervised at site, and analyzed and interpreted the data. All authors reviewed the systematic review and revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript. VHR will act as the guarantor for this paper.

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Correspondence to Vinod H. Ratageri.

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R., P.H., Gopalakrishna Mithra, C.A. & Ratageri, V.H. Pulmonary Function Tests in Childhood Asthma: Which indices are Better for Assessment of Severity?. Indian J Pediatr 90, 566–571 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-022-04258-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-022-04258-1

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