Single breath counting in the assessment of pulmonary function.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the correlation of single breath counting (SBC) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) to forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1).


METHODS
Prospective comparison of pulmonary function measurements.


METHODS
University hospital pulmonary function test (PFT) laboratory.


METHODS
Consenting patients scheduled to have PFTs May 1, 1992, through November 1, 1992.


METHODS
SBC was measured by asking patients to take a deep breath and count as far as possible in their normal speaking voice without taking another breath. Counting was timed to a metronome set at 2 counts per second. A hand-held peak flowmeter was then used to measure PEFR. Standard PFTs then were performed.


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients were enrolled. The correlation of SBC to FEV1 (r = .68) was slightly better than of PEFR to FEV1 (r = .63). SBC was also found to correlate well with PEFR (r = .68).


CONCLUSIONS
SBC is a reasonable alternative to PEFR. Further investigation in an emergency department setting is warranted.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany Medical College, New York.
J M
JM
Bartfield
B S
BS
Ushkow
J M
JM
Rosen
K
K
Dylong
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D013060:Speech; D013147:Spirometry