title: The tussometer: accuracy and reproducibility.
abstract: Tussometry is a new non-invasive technique for objectively assessing laryngeal function by analysis of the airflow waveform produced by a maximum effort voluntary cough manoeuvre. We describe the technique and present the calibration data. The tussometer has been calibrated for flows of up to 1100 litre min-1 using a flowmeter with a quoted accuracy of +/- 1.75%. The variables measured (cough peak flow rate (CPFR) and peak velocity time (PVT)) were found to be reproducible; the within-subject variability for CPFR was found to be 23.9% and for PVT 9%. There was no inter-observer variation. We found that the size of the mask used did not influence the readings obtained, providing an adequate seal was achieved.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Murty
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Knights
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Aitkenhead
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D015588:Observer Variation; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012212:Rheology / Q000295:instrumentation