[Comparative observation on the relationship between the MEFV and the visual inspection of small airway].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the relationship between the MEFV and the visual inspection of small airway.


METHODS
According to the result on small airway function test (MEFV), the patients were divided into two group: MEFV abnormal group and MEFV normal group. Their bronchus and peripheral airway were observed with bronchofiberscope and ultra-thin bronchofiberscope. The visual appearance of the airways was scored in the light of the presence or absence of erythema, edema, secretions, etc.


RESULTS
The score of visual appearance observed or bronchitis index (BI) in small airway was 7.7 +/- 0.8 (BI: 3.0 +/- 0.8) and 4.7 +/- 1.6 (BI: 1.5 +/- 0.5) respectively in MEFV abnormal group and in MEFV normal group, namely the score in MEFV abnormal group was significantly higher than that of normal group (P < 0.01). The degree of pathological change in small airway was significantly correlated with the results of V25, V50, r = -0.6271, (P < 0.05) and r = 0.6964, (P < 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
The abnormal of MEFV may reflect inflamative pathological changes of small airway.
Zhao
M
M
Department of Respiratory Disease, 3rd Hospital, Beijing Medical University.
Qi
G
G
Mu
K
K
D001249:Asthma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008449:Maximal Expiratory Flow-Volume Curves