Evaluación de la medición de las resistencias pulmonares por técnica de interrupción / Assessing the measurement of airway resistance by the interrupter technique

Introducción. Las pruebas de función pulmonar permiten objetivar el grado de obstrucción bronquial en sujetos colaboradores. La medición de las resistencias pulmonares por métodos pasivos es muy útil en sujetos no colaboradores. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la aplicabilidad de la medición de resistencias por interrupción (Rint) en la edad pediátrica, valorando su reproducibilidad, fabilidad y exactitud en relación con otras técnicas de medición de resistencias. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal en niños de entre 2 y 18 años, sanos y con patología obstructiva. Se midió la Rint con un aparato portátil y se comparó con las resistencias medidas por oscilometría y pletismografía. Se valoró la reproducibilidad de las mediciones y la infuencia de diferentes variables (uso de mascarilla o boquilla, sujeción de mejillas o uso de pinza nasal). Resultados. De 460 niños (47,6% menores de 7 años) se obtuvieron medidas válidas en el 82,6%. La reproducibilidad fue muy buena (CCI= 0,9412; p < 0,00001), sin encontrar diferencias entre las medidas obtenidas separadas en el tiempo (0,75 ± 0,3 contra 0,74 ± 0,28; p= 0,435). Ninguno de los factores antes mencionados afectó la reproducibilidad de las medidas. Los valores de resistencia obtenidos por pletismografía y oscilometría fueron superiores a los obtenidos por Rint, con una correlación positiva entre ambos. La correlación con la pletismografía disminuía cuanto mayor era el grado de obstrucción. Conclusiones. La medición de Rint es factible y reproducible, y se correlaciona bien con las resistencias medidas por oscilometría o pletismografía, por lo que sería de utilidad en los pacientes poco colaboradores. En los pacientes obstruidos, podría infraestimar la resistencia, difcultando su uso para el seguimiento de una patología obstructiva moderada-grave o en las pruebas de provocación bronquial.

Introduction. Pulmonary function tests allow an objective assessment of the degree of bronchial obstruction in collaborative subjects. The measurement of airway resistance using passive methods is very helpful in non-collaborative subjects. The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of measuring airway resistance by the interrupter technique (Rint) in pediatric subjects, determining its reproducibility, reliability and accuracy versus other techniques to measure airway resistance. Material and Methods. Cross-sectional study in healthy children and in children with an obstructive airway disease, all aged 2-18 years old. The Rint was measured using a portable device and results were compared to airway resistance measured by oscillometry and plethysmography. The reproducibility of measurements and the infuence of the different outcome measures (use of mask or mouthpiece, cheek support, or nose clip) were assessed. Results. Valid measurements were obtained in 82.6% of 460 children (47.6% younger than 7 years old). Reproducibility was very good (ICC= 0.9412; p <0.00001), and no differences were found among the measurements obtained at separate time intervals (0.75 ± 0.3 versus 0.74 ± 0.28; p= 0.435). None of the factors indicated before had an effect on the reproducibility of measurements. Resistance values obtained by plethysmography and oscillometry were higher than those obtained using the Rint, with a positive correlation between them. The higher the degree of airway obstruction, the worse the correlation with plethysmography. Conclusions. The Rint measurement is a plausible and reproducible technique, and has an adequate correlation with the resistance measurements obtained using oscillometry or plethysmography, thus making it useful for non-collaborative patients. In patients with airway obstruction, this technique could underestimate resistance, so it would be a hurdle to use it to follow-up subjects with a moderate to severe obstructive disease or in bronchial challenge tests.

Evaluación de la medición de las resistencias pulmonares por técnica de interrupción / Assessing the measurement of airway resistance by the interrupter technique

Introducción. Las pruebas de función pulmonar permiten objetivar el grado de obstrucción bronquial en sujetos colaboradores. La medición de las resistencias pulmonares por métodos pasivos es muy útil en sujetos no colaboradores. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la aplicabilidad de la medición de resistencias por interrupción (Rint) en la edad pediátrica, valorando su reproducibilidad, fabilidad y exactitud en relación con otras técnicas de medición de resistencias. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal en niños de entre 2 y 18 años, sanos y con patología obstructiva. Se midió la Rint con un aparato portátil y se comparó con las resistencias medidas por oscilometría y pletismografía. Se valoró la reproducibilidad de las mediciones y la infuencia de diferentes variables (uso de mascarilla o boquilla, sujeción de mejillas o uso de pinza nasal). Resultados. De 460 niños (47,6% menores de 7 años) se obtuvieron medidas válidas en el 82,6%. La reproducibilidad fue muy buena (CCI= 0,9412; p < 0,00001), sin encontrar diferencias entre las medidas obtenidas separadas en el tiempo (0,75 ± 0,3 contra 0,74 ± 0,28; p= 0,435). Ninguno de los factores antes mencionados afectó la reproducibilidad de las medidas. Los valores de resistencia obtenidos por pletismografía y oscilometría fueron superiores a los obtenidos por Rint, con una correlación positiva entre ambos. La correlación con la pletismografía disminuía cuanto mayor era el grado de obstrucción. Conclusiones. La medición de Rint es factible y reproducible, y se correlaciona bien con las resistencias medidas por oscilometría o pletismografía, por lo que sería de utilidad en los pacientes poco colaboradores. En los pacientes obstruidos, podría infraestimar la resistencia, difcultando su uso para el seguimiento de una patología obstructiva moderada-grave o en las pruebas de provocación bronquial.(AU)

Introduction. Pulmonary function tests allow an objective assessment of the degree of bronchial obstruction in collaborative subjects. The measurement of airway resistance using passive methods is very helpful in non-collaborative subjects. The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of measuring airway resistance by the interrupter technique (Rint) in pediatric subjects, determining its reproducibility, reliability and accuracy versus other techniques to measure airway resistance. Material and Methods. Cross-sectional study in healthy children and in children with an obstructive airway disease, all aged 2-18 years old. The Rint was measured using a portable device and results were compared to airway resistance measured by oscillometry and plethysmography. The reproducibility of measurements and the infuence of the different outcome measures (use of mask or mouthpiece, cheek support, or nose clip) were assessed. Results. Valid measurements were obtained in 82.6% of 460 children (47.6% younger than 7 years old). Reproducibility was very good (ICC= 0.9412; p <0.00001), and no differences were found among the measurements obtained at separate time intervals (0.75 ± 0.3 versus 0.74 ± 0.28; p= 0.435). None of the factors indicated before had an effect on the reproducibility of measurements. Resistance values obtained by plethysmography and oscillometry were higher than those obtained using the Rint, with a positive correlation between them. The higher the degree of airway obstruction, the worse the correlation with plethysmography. Conclusions. The Rint measurement is a plausible and reproducible technique, and has an adequate correlation with the resistance measurements obtained using oscillometry or plethysmography, thus making it useful for non-collaborative patients. In patients with airway obstruction, this technique could underestimate resistance, so it would be a hurdle to use it to follow-up subjects with a moderate to severe obstructive disease or in bronchial challenge tests.(AU)

Assessing the measurement of airway resistance by the interrupter technique.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary function tests allow an objective assessment of the degree of bronchial obstruction in collaborative subjects. The measurement of airway resistance using passive methods is very helpful in non-collaborative subjects. The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of measuring airway resistance by the interrupter technique (Rint) in pediatric subjects, determining its reproducibility, reliability and accuracy versus other techniques to measure airway resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in healthy children and in children with an obstructive airway disease, all aged 2-18 years old. The Rint was measured using a portable device and results were compared to airway resistance measured by oscillometry and plethysmography. The reproducibility of measurements and the infuence of the different outcome measures (use of mask or mouthpiece, cheek support, or nose clip) were assessed. RESULTS: Valid measurements were obtained in 82.6% of 460 children (47.6% younger than 7 years old). Reproducibility was very good (ICC= 0.9412; p <0.00001), and no differences were found among the measurements obtained at separate time intervals (0.75 ± 0.3 versus 0.74 ± 0.28; p= 0.435). None of the factors indicated before had an effect on the reproducibility of measurements. Resistance values obtained by plethysmography and oscillometry were higher than those obtained using the Rint, with a positive correlation between them. The higher the degree of airway obstruction, the worse the correlation with plethysmography. CONCLUSIONS: The Rint measurement is a plausible and reproducible technique, and has an adequate correlation with the resistance measurements obtained using oscillometry or plethysmography, thus making it useful for non-collaborative patients. In patients with airway obstruction, this technique could underestimate resistance, so it would be a hurdle to use it to follow-up subjects with a moderate to severe obstructive disease or in bronchial challenge tests.

Assessing the measurement of airway resistance by the interrupter technique. / Assessing the measurement of airway resistance by the interrupter technique.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary function tests allow an objective assessment of the degree of bronchial obstruction in collaborative subjects. The measurement of airway resistance using passive methods is very helpful in non-collaborative subjects. The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of measuring airway resistance by the interrupter technique (Rint) in pediatric subjects, determining its reproducibility, reliability and accuracy versus other techniques to measure airway resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in healthy children and in children with an obstructive airway disease, all aged 2-18 years old. The Rint was measured using a portable device and results were compared to airway resistance measured by oscillometry and plethysmography. The reproducibility of measurements and the infuence of the different outcome measures (use of mask or mouthpiece, cheek support, or nose clip) were assessed. RESULTS: Valid measurements were obtained in 82.6

of 460 children (47.6

younger than 7 years old). Reproducibility was very good (ICC= 0.9412; p <0.00001), and no differences were found among the measurements obtained at separate time intervals (0.75 ± 0.3 versus 0.74 ± 0.28; p= 0.435). None of the factors indicated before had an effect on the reproducibility of measurements. Resistance values obtained by plethysmography and oscillometry were higher than those obtained using the Rint, with a positive correlation between them. The higher the degree of airway obstruction, the worse the correlation with plethysmography. CONCLUSIONS: The Rint measurement is a plausible and reproducible technique, and has an adequate correlation with the resistance measurements obtained using oscillometry or plethysmography, thus making it useful for non-collaborative patients. In patients with airway obstruction, this technique could underestimate resistance, so it would be a hurdle to use it to follow-up subjects with a moderate to severe obstructive disease or in bronchial challenge tests.