Small and large airways functions were studied in patients with hypertensive heart disease in slightly ro moderately compromised state functionally. In this study, the forced vital capacity and various flow paramaeters reflecting expiratory flow rate were determined from simultaneously recorded forced expiratory volume and maximal expiretory flow volume curves in 86 cases. The closing volume was measured by a single breath nitrogen mrthod in 57 cases and airway resistance with its related parameters by a body plethysmograph in 11 cases. These results were compared with those obtained from the same numbers of healthy controls matched for sex, age and height. In the patient group, the forced vital capadity and all the observed values of flow parameters, execpt for the ratio of the first second vital capacity to the forced vital capacity, were significantly reduced than those in the controls. When the remainder of flow parameters was volume-adjusted to the forced vital capacity, however, the mean of the peak expiratory flow rate and the maximal expiratory flow rate at the 75 percent of the vital capacity were not significantly different from that of controls. In contrast, the volume-adjusted values of maximal expiratory flow were remained significantly smaller than those in the controls. The closing volume and its ratio to the vital capacity were significantly larger in the patient group. Airway resistance and its related parameters revealed no significant differences between two groups. These findings suggest that the patients with hypertensive heart disease in a mild to moderate failure are associated with restrictive ventilatory impairment and a small airways obstruction, but with little or no large airway dysfunction.
Airway Resistance ; Closing Volume ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Heart Diseases* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate ; Nitrogen ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Vital Capacity

PURPOSE:Our study was designed to verify the correlation between the level of percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and to classify the severity according to SpO2 level when asthma exacerbation is developed. METHODS:We performed the methacholine bronchial provocation tests with monitoring SpO2 on 350 children who visited the pediatric allergy clinic with chronic cough or recurrent wheezing from August 2006 to August 2008. RESULTS:There was a significant correlation between FEV1%fall and SpO2 (r=-0.814, P< 0.01). The mean value of SpO2 was 95.80%+/-1.2% when decrement of FEV1 was 20%. It was 92.3%+/-0.81% when FEV1 decreased by 40%. CONCLUSION:Monitoring SpO2 is a convenient and reliable objective method to determine an appropriate therapeutic option when the pulmonary function test or arteial blood gas analysis is not available in children with asthma. We suggest less than 96% of SpO2 for the moderate attack, less than 92% for the severe attack, as the criteria for the severity of asthma exacerbations in Korea, which is higher than those suggested by GINA guideline or Japanese guidelines.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Child ; Cough ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Lung ; Methacholine Chloride ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Sounds

The prognostic role of resting pulmonary hyperinflation as measured by residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors related to resting pulmonary hyperinflation in COPD and to determine whether resting pulmonary hyperinflation is a prognostic factor in COPD. In total, 353 patients with COPD in the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease cohort recruited from 16 hospitals were enrolled. Resting pulmonary hyperinflation was defined as RV/TLC > or = 40%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that older age (P = 0.001), lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (P < 0.001), higher St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score (P = 0.019), and higher emphysema index (P = 0.010) were associated independently with resting hyperinflation. Multivariate Cox regression model that included age, gender, dyspnea scale, SGRQ, RV/TLC, and 6-min walking distance revealed that an older age (HR = 1.07, P = 0.027), a higher RV/TLC (HR = 1.04, P = 0.025), and a shorter 6-min walking distance (HR = 0.99, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. Our data showed that older age, higher emphysema index, higher SGRQ score, and lower FEV1 were associated independently with resting pulmonary hyperinflation in COPD. RV/TLC is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in COPD.
Aged ; Dyspnea/diagnosis/physiopathology ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Tolerance ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Flow Rates/physiology ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung/*physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/*diagnosis/mortality/physiopathology ; Pulmonary Emphysema/*diagnosis/mortality/physiopathology ; Republic of Korea ; Residual Volume/*physiology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Total Lung Capacity/*physiology ; Vital Capacity ; Walking/physiology

284 patients with pleural effusion (PE) treated in A.D of Bach Mai Hospital from 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2001 were investigated retrospectively. The causes of PE weres determined as tuberculosis 32.7%, lung cancer 23.9%, parapneumonic effusion 8.1%, heart failure 7%, liver cirrhosis 3.5% and other causes 6.7%. 77.9% of cancer pleural effusion were aged above 50 and 66.7% of tuberculosis pleural effusion – under 50, common signs and symptoms were chest pain 76.7%, dypsnea 78.2%, cough 46.8%, expectoration 27.8%, fever 50.4%, weight loss 29.9% and pleural effusion syndrom 87%. Parachinical characteristics were: By chest Xray, free effusion in 78.6%. By pleural ultrasound, free pleural effusion 63.7%; lobulated pleural effusion 13.1%; pleural effusion with walls 20.2%. Rivalta test of pleural fluid(+) 83.8%, (-) 16.2%. Cytology of pleural fluid: malignant cells found in 23.6%. PCR MTB test of pleural fluid(+) in 34.4% of cases of tuberculous pleuritis. Histology of pleural needle biopsy – malignant in 23.4% of with 10.6% mesothelioma, pleural tuberculosis in 34.1%, other etiology in 42.5% of cases.
diagnosis ; Pleural Effusion ; Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the strength of the knee and pulmonary function comparing collegians and hockey players in college. METHOD: KINdegreeCOM isokinetic dynamometer and medigraph were used to evaluate strength of the right lower extremity and pulmonary function to 30 male students comprising 15 hockey players and 15 collegians with no significant difference in age, weight, and height between the two groups. All subjects used their right lower limb as dominant limb. RESULTS: 1) The significant differences between collegians and hockey players were found in the peak torque at 60o/sec,180o/sec. 2) The siginficant differences between collegians and hockey players were found in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second and expiratory reserve volume on the pulmonary function. 3) The significant correlation between isokinetic strength and pulmonary function were found in peak torque. CONCLUSION: It is turned out that hockey players in college have much better isokinetic strength and pulmonary function than collegians, so it is suggested this result have to be considered in selecting hockey players and exercise prescription.
Expiratory Reserve Volume ; Extremities ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Hockey* ; Humans ; Knee* ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Prescriptions ; Torque ; Vital Capacity

PURPOSE: Dyspnea is not widely utilized as an indicator of asthma provocation despite its universal presentation. We hypothesized that dyspnea severity was proportionate with the lung function decline, methacholine dose-step, and the degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 73 children's bronchial provocation test data with an assessment of dyspnea at every dose-step. Dyspnea severity was scored using a modified Borg (mBorg) scale. A linear mixed effect analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the mBorg scale, the percentage fall in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (ΔFEV1%), the methacholine dose-step, and the degree of BHR (BHR grade). RESULTS: Subjects were divided into 5 BHR groups based on their last methacholine dose-steps. The mBorg scores did not differ significantly among BHR groups (P=0.596, Kruskal-Wallis test). The linear mixed effect analysis showed that ΔFEV1% was affected by the methacholine dose-step (P < 0.001) and BHR grade (P < 0.001). The mBorg score was affected by the dose-step (P < 0.001) and BHR grade (P=0.019). We developed a model to predict the mBorg score and found that it was affected by the methacholine dose-step and ΔFEV1%, elevating it by a score of 0.039 (χ² [1]=21.06, P < 0.001) and 0.327 (χ² [1]=47.45, P < 0.001), respectively. A significant interaction was observed between the methacholine dose-step and ΔFEV1% (χ² [1]=16.20, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In asthmatic children, inhaled methacholine, as well as the degree of BHR and lung function decline, may affect dyspnea perception during the bronchial provocation test. If we wish to draw meaningful information from dyspnea perception, we have to consider various complicating factors underlying it.
Asthma* ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Bronchoconstriction* ; Child* ; Dyspnea* ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; Methacholine Chloride* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: We usually measure the changes of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) or forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to check the bronchial response after inhalation of bronchodilator. Airway resistance determined by interrupter technique (Rint) is simple and easily applicable even to the infant. A comparison among PEFR, FEV1 and Rint was done to find out the feasibility of using Rint instead of PEFR or FEV1 in checking the bronchial response after inhalation of bronchodilator. METHODS: We checked PEFR, FEV1, Rint, and oxygen saturation with twenty eight asthmatic children, over 7 years old, visited emergency or out patient department with acute asthmatic attack. The same parameters were checked in 5, 10, 20 minutes after inhalation of bronchodilator. Comparison and relationship of measures as well as changes of measures after inhalation of bronchodilator among them were analyzed to confirm if Rint can replace PEFR or FEV1 in checking bronchial response after inhalation of bronchodilator. RESULTS: PEFR, FEV1 and O2 saturation increased as time goes on but airway resistance decreased. The relationship among the changes of parameters of PEFR, FEV1 and Rint checked in 5, 10 and 20 minutes after inhalation of bronchodilator showed close correlation with was statistically significant. But, the measures checked in 20 minutes after inhalation statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Rint can be used instead of PEFR and FEV1 in checking the bronchial response after inhalation of bronchodilator.
Airway Resistance* ; Child ; Emergencies ; Forced Expiratory Volume* ; Humans ; Infant ; Inhalation ; Oxygen ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate* ; Respiratory Function Tests

OBJECTIVES: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is common disease in otorhinolaryngology and will lead to lower airway abnormality. However, the only lung function in CRS patients and associated factors have not been much studied. METHODS: One hundred patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP group), 40 patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP group), and 100 patients without CRS were enrolled. The difference in lung function was compared. Meanwhile, CRSwNP and CRSsNP group were required to undergo a bronchial provocation or dilation test. Additionally, subjective and objective outcomes were measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS), 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20), Lund-Mackay score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score. The correlation and regression methods were used to analyze the relationship between their lung function and the above parameters. RESULTS: The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75) of CRSwNP group were significantly lower than other groups (P<0.05). On peak expiratory flow, there was no difference between three groups. In CRSwNP group, FEV1 was negatively correlated with peripheral blood eosinophil count (PBEC) and duration of disease (r=–0.348, P=0.013 and r=–0.344, P=0.014, respectively), FEF25-75 negatively with VAS, SNOT-20 (r=–0.490, P=0.028 and r=–0.478, P=0.033, respectively) in CRSsNP group. The incidence of positive bronchial provocation and dilation test was lower in CRSwNP group (10% and 0%, respectively), with both 0% in CRSsNP group. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that change ratio of FEV1 before and after bronchial provocation or dilation test were correlated with PBEC in CRSwNP group (β=0.403, P=0.006). CONCLUSION: CRS leading to impaired maximum ventilation and small airway is associated with the existence of nasal polyp. Lung function impairments can be reflected by PBEC, duration, VAS, and SNOT-20. In CRSwNP patients, PBEC is independent predictor of FEV₁ change ratio.
Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Eosinophils ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Incidence ; Linear Models ; Lung* ; Nasal Polyps ; Otolaryngology ; Ventilation ; Vital Capacity

Since pulmonary function testing was first described by Hutchinson in 1846, this technic has been developed by many physiologists and applied to clinical fields for eviluation of cardiopulmonary status in order to improve diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases. The normal values of the lung volumes and capacities, maximal midexpiratory flow, maximal breathing capacity and forced expiratory volume and time in 120 (male-60, female-60) normal Korean adults by using a Gaensler-Collins bronchospirometer are presented. The results were as follows: 1. The vital capacity of the normal Korean adult was 4191+/-451ml. for males and 2685+/-375 ml. for females. 2. The ratio of inspiratory capacity to vital capacity for males was 66+/- 9% and for females 70+/- 7%, but that of expiratory reserve volume to vital capacity for males was 34+/-9% and for females was 30+/-7%. The ratio of inspiratory capacity to vital capacity of normal Korean adults is slightly lower than that of whites, while that of expiratory reserve volume to vital capacity of normal Korean adults is slightly higher than that of whites. 3. The maximal breathing capacity of males was 95+/- 171/min. and that of females 61+/-141/min. 4. The maxima mid-expiratory flow for males was 266+/- 711/min. and for females 176+/- 421 /min. The maximal mid-expiratory time of males was 0. 497+/- 0.145 second and that of females 0. 479+/- 0. 128 second.
Adult* ; Diagnosis ; Expiratory Reserve Volume ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Inspiratory Capacity ; Lung ; Male ; Maximal Voluntary Ventilation ; Reference Values ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Vital Capacity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of pulmonary functions in children with segmental Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (SMPP).

METHODSA total of 55 children with SMPP were recruited into this study. Pulmonary functions were measured at both acute and recovery phases, including FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75% and FEF25%-75%.

RESULTSFVC, FEV1, FEV1 /FVC, PEF, FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75%, and FEF25%-75% were reduced in all of the 55 cases at the acute phase. FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75% and FEF25%-75% decreased more significantly. The indexes above mentioned were improved significantly at the recovery phase compared with the acute phase (P<0.05). During the acute phase FVC and FEV1 decreased more significantly in the group with multiple area lesions than in the group with single area lesions (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth large and small airway functions are damaged in different degrees in children with SMPP during the acute phase. More cases show restrictive ventilatory disorders and the injury of small airway function is more severe. The pulmonary function is markedly improved at the recovery phase, suggesting that the pulmonary function impairments are reversible. The pulmonary function impairments are more severe in children with multiple area lesions.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Flow Rates ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; physiopathology