title: Spirometry with bronchodilator test: effect that the use of large-volume spacers with antistatic treatment has on test response.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether the use of inhaled albuterol via a metered-dose inhaler with a large-volume spacer with antistatic treatment modifies the bronchodilator test results when compared with the usual technique (no spacer).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study involving 24 patients, 18-45 years of age, clinically suspected of having asthma, and under treatment at the Outpatient Pulmonary Clinic of the Federal University of Minas Gerais Hospital das Clínicas, located in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. All of the patients underwent two bronchodilator tests: one with and one without the use of a large-volume spacer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in the variation of FEV1 prior to and after bronchodilator use between the two techniques (mean ΔFEV1 = 0.01 L; 95% CI: -0.05 to 0.06; p = 0.824). No statistically significant difference was found between the two techniques regarding the qualitative results on the bronchodilator test (p = 1.00). There was concordance between the techniques in terms of the bronchodilator test results (kappa coefficient = 0.909; p < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of this study, the use of large-volume spacers does not significantly modify bronchodilator test results.
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flávia de Barros
authors.initials: Fde B
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Ricardo de Amorim
authors.initials: Rde A
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.forename: Luis Fernando Ferreira
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Carla Discacciati
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Eliane Viana
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Mancuso
authors.forename: Nilton Alves de
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Rezende
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D036503:Inhalation Spacers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013147:Spirometry; D055672:Static Electricity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol