Effect of treatment on maximal expiratory flow rates in tropical eosinophilia.
Maximal expiratory flow rates such as peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), rates at 25%, 50% and 75% of vital capacity (VE max 25%, VE max 50%, VE max 75%) and forced expiratory flow during the middle half of forced vital capacity (FEF 25-75%) were recorded in 23 patients with tropical eosinophilia (TE) before and after treatment. The mean values of all flow rates were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in untreated TE patients compared to predicted values. After three weeks' treatment with diethylcarbamazine, although there was a significant rise in the mean values of all expiratory flow rates (P < 0.05) except VE max 75% (P > 0.2), all flow rates continued to be significantly lower (P < 0.01) at one month than predicted values.
Kuppurao
K V
KV
Cardio-Pulmonary Medicine Unit, Indian Council of Medical Research, Madras.
Vijayan
V K
VK
Venkatesan
P
P
Sankaran
K
K
D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008448:Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D011657:Pulmonary Eosinophilia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
D004049:Diethylcarbamazine