Resumen

RECABARREN LOZADA, Arturo  y  APAZA ATENCIO, Nelson. Peak expiratory flow rate in asthmatic children: Case/control study. Rev Med Hered [online]. 1995, vol.6, n.2, pp.76-82. ISSN 1018-130X.

To determine variations in the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), we studied 38 asthmatic children during intercritical period and 38 healthy children, between 5 and 15 years old. Asthmatic children were classified according to clinic parameters in different levels of severity; using the PEFR measured with the mini-Wright Peak Flow Meter at 6 and 18 hours during 7 consecutive days with its corresponding variability. Difference was found in the global variability of asthmatic children in all severity levels, in contrast with healthy children, with statistic difference (p<0.000001). Diurnal variations on PEFR helps in the diagnosis of asthma and its corresponding degree of severity disease. PEFR correlates good with symptoms and airway responsiveness in asthmatic children. We postulate that children with sugestive history and a global variability greater than 8% have a very probable diagnosis of asthma. (Rev Med Hered 1995; 6: 76-82)

Palabras clave : Peak expiratory flow rate; PEFR variability; asthma; children.

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