Use of serial measurements of peak flow in the diagnosis of occupational asthma.
Occupational asthma is best verified by physiological measures, including (1) measurement of lung function on a single occasion with bronchodilator response, (2) measurement of lung function before and after a workshift, and (3) repeated measurement of PEF over long periods of time, including readings at and away from work. The author describes a qualitative method for distinguishing patterns of PEF change at and away from work which has been effective in the diagnosis of work-related asthma.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, East Birmingham Hospital, United Kingdom.
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D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002138:Calibration; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008499:Medical Records; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013147:Spirometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors