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Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aug 2023Lung function testing is an essential modality of investigation in children as it provides objective evidence of lung disease/health. With advances in technology,... (Review)
Review
Lung function testing is an essential modality of investigation in children as it provides objective evidence of lung disease/health. With advances in technology, various tests are available that can aid in the diagnosis of lung disease, assess the progression and response to therapy and document the lung development and evolving lung diseases in infants. This narrative review discusses lung function tests in infants and children. Currently, lung function tests can be performed in every age group, from neonates to the elderly. Spirometry and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) are the most employed tests in children more than six years of age. Spirometry helps diagnose and monitoring of both obstructive and restrictive diseases. There is a need for expertise to perform and interpret spirometry correctly. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) or impulse oscillometry (IOS) is done with tidal volume breathing and is feasible even in preschool children. Their utility is mainly restricted to asthma in children at present. Lung function tests can be performed in neonates, infants and children using infant pulmonary function test (PFT) equipment, although their availability is limited. Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is a valuable tool in restrictive lung diseases. Lung volumes can be assessed by body plethysmography and multiple washout technique. The latter can also assess lung clearance index. It is essential to perform and interpret the lung function test results correctly and correlate them with the clinical condition for optimum treatment and outcome.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Humans; Aged; Oscillometry; Respiratory Function Tests; Lung; Asthma; Spirometry; Forced Expiratory Volume
PubMed: 37261706
DOI: 10.1007/s12098-023-04588-8 -
Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine 2023Approximately 3-10% of people with asthma have severe asthma (SA). Patients with SA have greater impairment in daily life and much higher costs. Even if asthma affects... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Approximately 3-10% of people with asthma have severe asthma (SA). Patients with SA have greater impairment in daily life and much higher costs. Even if asthma affects the entire bronchial tree, small airways have been recognized as the major site of airflow limitation. There are several tools for studying small airway dysfunction (SAD), but certainly the most interesting is oscillometry. Despite several studies, the clinical usefulness of oscillometry in asthma is still in question. This paper aims to provide evidence supporting the use of oscillometry to improve the management of SA in clinical practice.
AREAS COVERED
In the ATLANTIS study, SAD was strongly evident across all severity. Various tools are available for evaluation of SAD, and certainly an integrated use of these can provide complete and detailed information. However, the most suitable method is oscillometry, implemented for clinical routine by using either small pressure impulses or small pressure sinusoidal waves.
EXPERT OPINION
Oscillometry, despite its different technological implementations is the best tool for determining the impact of SAD on asthma and its control. Oscillometry will also be increasingly useful for choosing the appropriate drug, and there is ample room for a more widespread diffusion in clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Oscillometry; Spirometry; Asthma; Lung
PubMed: 37452692
DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2237872 -
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine May 2024Oscillometry is a noninvasive pulmonary function test that has gained significant interest in the evaluation of lung disease. Currently, oscillometry is primarily a... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Oscillometry is a noninvasive pulmonary function test that has gained significant interest in the evaluation of lung disease. Currently, oscillometry is primarily a research tool, but there is a growing body of evidence supporting its clinical use. This review describes the recent work evaluating the role of oscillometry in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.
RECENT FINDINGS
A large body of observational data supports the ability of oscillometry to distinguish healthy individuals from those with respiratory symptoms or lung disease. Oscillometry may not be as useful as an isolated diagnostic test in asthma, but the combination with other pulmonary function tests may improve its diagnostic ability. Oscillometry can detect peripheral airways dysfunction in asthma, which is associated with symptoms and the risk for exacerbations. To help guide future research, minimal clinically important differences for specific oscillometry variables have been developed. Oscillometry may be useful in monitoring the response to biological therapy and has potential for personalizing treatment for individual patients. Oscillometry also has potential in uncovering unique aspects of the pathophysiology of asthma in obesity.
SUMMARY
Oscillometry is a promising tool in the diagnosis and management of asthma. More research is needed to support its routine clinical use.
Topics: Humans; Lung; Oscillometry; Spirometry; Asthma; Lung Diseases
PubMed: 38411171
DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000001057 -
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology Oct 2023Oscillometry has been around for almost 70 years, but there are still many unknowns. The test is performed during tidal breathing and is therefore free from... (Review)
Review
Oscillometry has been around for almost 70 years, but there are still many unknowns. The test is performed during tidal breathing and is therefore free from patient-dependent factors that could influence the results. The Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT), which requires minimal patient cooperation, is gaining ground, particularly with elderly patients and children. In pulmonology, it is a valuable tool for assessing obstructive conditions (with a distinction between central and peripheral obstruction) and restrictive disorders (intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary). Its sensitivity allows the assessment of bronchodilator and bronchoconstrictor responses. Different lung diseases show different patterns of changes in FOT, especially studied in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Because of these differences, many studies have analysed the usefulness of this technique in different areas of medicine. In this paper, the authors would like to present the basics of oscillometry with the areas of its most recent clinical applications.
Topics: Child; Humans; Aged; Airway Resistance; Oscillometry; Asthma; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Function Tests; Spirometry; Forced Expiratory Volume
PubMed: 37536553
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104135 -
American Journal of Respiratory and... Feb 2024Respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) as measured by oscillometry and their intrabreath changes have emerged as sensitive parameters for detecting early...
Respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) as measured by oscillometry and their intrabreath changes have emerged as sensitive parameters for detecting early pathological impairments during tidal breathing. This study evaluates the prevalence and association of abnormal oscillometry parameters with respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases in a general adult population. A total of 7,560 subjects in the Austrian LEAD (Lung, hEart, sociAl, boDy) Study with oscillometry measurements (computed with the Resmon Pro FULL; Restech Srl) were included in this study. The presence of respiratory symptoms and doctor-diagnosed respiratory diseases was assessed using an interview-based questionnaire. Rrs and Xrs at 5 Hz, their inspiratory and expiratory components, the area above the Xrs curve, and the presence of tidal expiratory flow limitation were analyzed. Normality ranges for oscillometry parameters were defined. The overall prevalence of abnormal oscillometry parameters was 20%. The incidence of abnormal oscillometry increased in the presence of symptoms or diagnoses: 17% (16-18%) versus 27% (25-29%), < 0.0001. All abnormal oscillometry parameters except Rrs at 5 Hz were significantly associated with respiratory symptoms/diseases. Significant associations were found, even in subjects with normal spirometry, with abnormal oscillometry incidence rates increasing by 6% (4-8%; < 0.0001) in subjects with symptoms or diagnoses. Abnormal oscillometry parameters are present in one-fifth of this adult population and are significantly associated with respiratory symptoms and disease. Our findings underscore the potential of oscillometry as a tool for detecting and evaluating respiratory impairments, even in individuals with normal spirometry.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Oscillometry; Lung; Respiration; Exhalation; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Spirometry; Forced Expiratory Volume; Airway Resistance
PubMed: 37972230
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202306-0975OC -
Pediatric Pulmonology Jul 2023The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility of respiratory oscillometry (RO) in schoolchildren with asthma, and the concordance of its results with those...
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility of respiratory oscillometry (RO) in schoolchildren with asthma, and the concordance of its results with those of spirometry, to determine its clinical usefulness.
METHODS
RO and spirometry were performed in 154 children (6 to 14-year-old) with asthma, following strict quality criteria for the tests. Their feasibility (probability of valid test, time of execution, number of maneuvers needed to achieve a valid test, and perceived difficulty) was compared. The factors that influence feasibility were analyzed with multivariate methods. FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FVC and FEF25-75 for spirometry, and R5, AX and R5-19 for RO, were converted into z-scores and their concordance was investigated through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and kappa indices for normal/abnormal values.
RESULTS
There were no differences in the probability of obtaining a valid RO or spirometry (83.1% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.868). RO required a lower number of maneuvers [mean (SD) 4.2 (1.8) versus 6.0 (1.6), p < 0.001] and less execution time [5.1 (2.7) versus 7.6 (2.4) minutes, p < 0.001], and patients considered it less difficult. Age increased the probability of obtaining valid RO and spirometry. The concordance of results between RO and spirometry was low, and only between zFEV1 and zAX could it be considered moderate (ICC = 0.412, kappa = 0.427).
CONCLUSION
RO and spirometry are feasible in children with asthma. RO has some practical advantages, but the concordance of its results with spirometry is low.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Oscillometry; Feasibility Studies; Asthma; Spirometry; Forced Expiratory Volume
PubMed: 37067397
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26409 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Sep 2023Pulmonary chronic graft--host disease (cGVHD) is a substantial cause of pulmonary morbidity and mortality post-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Current... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary chronic graft--host disease (cGVHD) is a substantial cause of pulmonary morbidity and mortality post-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Current spirometry-based monitoring strategies have significant limitations. Understanding the utility of novel peripheral airway function tests - multiple breath washout (MBW) and oscillometry - is critical in efforts to improve detection, facilitate earlier intervention and improve outcomes. In this scoping review, we identified 17 studies investigating MBW or oscillometry, or both, after allogenic HSCT. Despite small study numbers limiting the ability to draw firm conclusions, several themes were evident. Detectable peripheral airway abnormality in MBW occurred in a substantial proportion prior to HSCT. MBW indices post-HSCT were more frequently abnormal than spirometry when reporting group data and among those with extrapulmonary cGVHD and pulmonary cGVHD. Changes in MBW indices over time may be more indicative of pulmonary complications than absolute values at any given time point. Oscillometry indices were often normal at baseline, but more frequently abnormal in those who developed pulmonary cGVHD. Pooling currently available individual participant data across these studies may improve our ability to formally compare their respective sensitivity and specificity at specific time points and assess the trajectory of MBW and oscillometry indices over time.
Topics: Humans; Oscillometry; Lung; Respiratory Function Tests; Spirometry; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
PubMed: 37495248
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0251-2022 -
Clinical Physiology and Functional... Jun 2024Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) during tidal breathing and lung hyperinflation have been identified as major decisive factors for disease status, prognosis and...
BACKGROUND
Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) during tidal breathing and lung hyperinflation have been identified as major decisive factors for disease status, prognosis and response to therapy in obstructive lung diseases.
AIM
To investigate the delta values between expiratory and inspiratory resistance and reactance, measured using respiratory oscillometry and its correlation with air trapping and symptoms in subjects with obstructive lung diseases.
METHODS
Four hundred and seventy-one subjects (96 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], 311 with asthma, 30 healthy smokers and 34 healthy subjects) were included. Spirometry, body plethysmography and respiratory oscillometry measurements were performed and the differences between the expiratory and inspiratory respiratory oscillometry values (as delta values) were calculated. Questionnaires regarding symptoms and quality of life were administered.
RESULTS
Patients with COPD and healthy smokers had an increased delta resistance at 5 Hz (R5) compared with patients with asthma (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.037, respectively) and healthy subjects (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.012, respectively). Patients with COPD also had higher values of ΔR5-R19 than healthy subjects (p = 0.0001) and patients with asthma (p < 0.0001). Delta reactance at 5 Hz (X5) was significantly more impaired in COPD patients than in asthma and healthy subjects (p < 0.0001 for all). There was a correlation between the ratio of residual volume and total lung capacity and ΔR5 (p = 0.0047; r = 0.32), ΔR5-R19 (p = 0.0002; r = 0.41) and ΔX5 (p < 0.0001; r = -0.44), for all subjects. ΔX5 correlated with symptoms in COPD, healthy smokers and patients with asthma. In addition, ΔR5 correlated with asthma symptoms.
CONCLUSION
EFL was most prominent in parameters measuring peripheral resistance and reactance and correlated with air trapping and airway symptoms.
PubMed: 38873744
DOI: 10.1111/cpf.12895 -
Respiratory Medicine Oct 2023Bronchial thermoplasty is an effective intervention to improve respiratory symptoms and to reduce the rate of exacerbations in uncontrolled severe asthma. A reduction in...
INTRODUCTION
Bronchial thermoplasty is an effective intervention to improve respiratory symptoms and to reduce the rate of exacerbations in uncontrolled severe asthma. A reduction in airway smooth muscle is arguably the most widely discussed mechanisms accounting for these clinical benefits. Yet, this smooth muscle reduction should also translate into an impaired response to bronchodilator drugs. This study was designed to address this question.
METHODS
Eight patients with clinical indication for thermoplasty were studied. They were uncontrolled severe asthmatics despite optimal environmental control, treatment of comorbidities, and the use of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β-agonists. Lung function measured by spirometry and respiratory mechanics measured by oscillometry were examined pre- and post-bronchodilator (salbutamol, 400 μg), both before and at least 1 year after thermoplasty.
RESULTS
Consistent with previous studies, thermoplasty yielded no benefits in terms of baseline lung function and respiratory mechanics, despite improving symptoms based on two asthma questionnaires (ACQ-5 and ACT-5). The response to salbutamol was also not affected by thermoplasty based on spirometric readouts, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV/FVC ratio. However, a significant interaction was observed between thermoplasty and salbutamol for two oscillometric readouts, namely reactance at 5 Hz (X) and reactance area (Ax), showing an attenuated response to salbutamol after thermoplasty.
CONCLUSIONS
Thermoplasty attenuates the response to a bronchodilator. We argue that this result is a physiological proof of therapeutic efficacy, consistent with the well-described effect of thermoplasty in reducing the amount of airway smooth muscle.
Topics: Humans; Bronchodilator Agents; Bronchial Thermoplasty; Asthma; Albuterol; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Forced Expiratory Volume
PubMed: 37422022
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107340