Reducing the number of daily measurements results in poor estimation of diurnal variability of peak expiratory flow in healthy individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of reducing number of daily measurements on estimation of diurnal variability (DV) of peak expiratory flow (PEF).


METHODS
PEF was recorded five times daily for three days in 152 healthy adults. Amplitude percent mean (A%M) and standard deviation percent mean (SD%M) were calculated on third day from five, four, three and two daily readings. Proportion of variability explained by partial schedules was calculated and limits of agreement derived to assess if these methods could be used interchangeably.


RESULTS
Four, three and two measurements explained 90-95%, 70-82% and 55% DV respectively using A%M. All schedules of partial measurement using SD%M explained >90% DV. Limits of agreement for A%M and SD%M widened as number of measurements were reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
DV obtained by fewer daily measurements agrees poorly with results obtained from five measurements. SD%M is a better alternative if DV is assessed from fewer readings.
Gupta
D
D
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh- 160 012, India. dgupta@glide.net.in
Aggarwal
A N
AN
Chaganti
S
S
Jindal
S K
SK
D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values