title: [Airway challenge testing - accuracy of the interrupter technique].
abstract: According to national and international recommendations the bronchial sensitivity should be determined based on the decrease of the FEV1 by 20 % (FEV1 - 20) or the increase of the airway resistance by means of body plethysmography by 100 % (Raw + 100). Measurement of airway resistance by interrupter technique (Rint) is a simple method and needs no active cooperation of the patient, but is not recommended in airway challenge testing. We investigated the role of the increase of Rint by 100 % (Rint + 100) compared to Raw + 100 and FEV1 - 20 during carbachol airway challenge testing by means of dosimetry. We examined 123 patients with following symptoms: 85 x coughing, 31 x coughing and dyspnea, 7 x medical opinion. Significant correlations between Rint and Raw were found before and after the challenge tests (Rint before/after 0,3 +/- 0,13/0,36 +/- 0,25 kPa*s/l; Raw before/after 0,24 +/- 0,09/0,50 +/- 0,41 kPa*s/l; r = 0,504/0,672; p < 0,001 [Pearson]). The median values of Rint and Raw were significantly different (p < 0,001 [Wilcoxon]). Moreover Rint systematically overestimated airway resistance in the normal range and underestimated the increase of airway resistance during challenge testing (r = 0,783; p < 0,001 [Pearson]). In 58 patients an increased airway responsiveness was found. In 21 oft these patients there was no increase of Rint above the initial value. Sensitivity/specificity/positive predictive value/negative predictive value in % to the detection of airway hyperresponsiveness were in Rint + 100 9/95/63/54, in FEV1 - 20 61/100/100/66 and in Raw + 100 98/100/100/98. In conclusion we found significant correlations between Rint and Raw, but the median values were systematically and significantly different. Rint + 100 had a low sensitivity to detect airway hyperresponsiveness and is not comparable with FEV1 - 20 or Raw + 100.
authors.affiliation: Medizin. Klinik Abt. Pneumologie, St. Vincentius-Kliniken Karlsruhe, Medizinische Klinik, Abteilung Pneumologie, Sudendstrasse, Germany. johannes.schildge@vincentius-ka.deInternet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schildge
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaiser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010993:Plethysmography, Whole Body / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
vernacular_title: Die Bestimmung der bronchialen Sensitivität - ist die Widerstandsmessung mittels Unterbrechermethode ein zuverlässiges Verfahren?