Adverse reactions to peak flow monitoring. Report of 5 patients.
Five patients with adverse reactions to peak flow monitoring are presented: 2 patients had herniation of abdominal content, while the others presented with vasovagal syncope, minor depression and neurotic preoccupation with peak flow values, respectively. As a result, 3 of the 5 patients became noncompliant. For nonpsychological somatic adverse reactions, we calculated an incidence of 1.1 cases/1,000 patients started on peak flow monitoring. Adverse reactions with a psychological background may be more frequent. Clinicians should bear in mind that patients noncompliant with peak flow monitoring may have discontinued because of adverse reactions.
Schoch
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OD
Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Nierhoff
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N
Knoblauch
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A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology