Variability of respiratory function tests 9 weeks observation
Pham, Q.T.; Mur, J.M.; Gimenez, M.; Mastrangelo, G.; Henquel, J.C.
Revue d'Epidemiologie et de Sante Publique 29(1): 15-26
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0398-7620 PMID: 7255826 Document Number: 181806
Normal men [42] 19-27 yr old were examined in conditions of field studies once a week for 9 wk. At each session the following measurements were taken: flow volume curves with determination of vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1.0); peak flow (.ovrhdot.V peak); flows at 0.75, 0.50, 0.25% of VC (.ovrhdot.V 0.75 VC, .ovrhdot.V 0.50 VC, .ovrhdot.V 0.25 VC); single breath N2 test with determination of slope of phase III (.DELTA.N2/l); closing volume/vital capacity (CV/VC); and, single breath and steady state tests with CO. Variability of functional pulmonary indices was greater than those observed in the literature during a shorter time period. Some indices varied significantly during the 9 wk of observation such as .ovrhdot.V 0.25 VC, indices of transfer factor of CO and CV/VC (possibly due to repetition of test or metereologic factors). Relevance of studying variations during a relatively long period is pointed out in the interpretation of results observed in prospective studies.