Comparison between plethysmographic and forced oscillation techniques in the assessment of airflow obstruction.
We compared airway resistances (Raw, body plethysmograph) and total pulmonary resistance at 4 and 24 Hz (RRS 4 Hz, 24 Hz) as well as the resonant frequency (RF), both in normals and in patients with airway obstruction. Bronchodilatation (n = 38) was the best evaluated by the induced changes in RRS 4 Hz and RF. However, the importance of change of RRS 4 Hz was poorly correlated with the change in Raw. Bronchial challenge test with histamine and DPT was again the best evaluated by RRS 4 Hz and RF with maximal changes observed for the latter. Normal ranges for Raw, RRS 4 Hz and RF were computed (n = 41). For all patients studied (n = 42) concordance for abnormality was good but poor for normality. From this we conclude that the oscillation technique is a different approach for the evaluation of airway obstruction and that RRS 4 Hz or RF are easy and accurate measurements to follow during bronchodilatation and bronchoconstriction tests.
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000503:physiopathology; D000403:Airway Resistance; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000502:physiology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004106:Dilatation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009991:Oscillometry; D010993:Plethysmography, Whole Body; D012737:Sex Factors