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Mechanisms of increased epithelial lung clearance of DTPA in diffuse fibrosing alveolitis.

The aim of this study was to elucidate possible mechanisms of increased epithelial lung clearance in diffuse fibrosing alveolitis (DFA). We investigated the relationships between epithelial lung clearance as assessed by the clearance of aerosolized 99mTc-diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid (RC-DTPA), luminal alveolitis as assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage, and pulmonary function, in 30 nonsmokers with DFA. In 14 of these patients, RC-DTPA and lung function were determined before and during therapy with prednisolone (0.5 mg.kg-1 daily). RC-DTPA was higher in patients with DFA (4.45 +/- 2.50%.min-1) than in normal subjects (1.18 +/- 0.31%.min-1). RC-DTPA did not correlate with the number of alveolar neutrophils, but correlated positively with the number of alveolar lymphocytes, and negatively with vital capacity (VC). RC-DTPA decreased from 6.1 +/- 2.8 to 3.8 +/- 1.9%.min-1 with prednisolone. RC-DTPA before prednisolone correlated positively with the prednisolone-associated improvement in VC. We conclude that in patient with DFA, RC-DTPA is increased, and decreases but does not return to normal with corticosteroid therapy. Our data suggest that in DFA the increase in RC-DTPA could be related to the recoil-induced stretch of the respiratory epithelium and to alveolar lymphocytic inflammation.

Aerosols↗

Effect of inhaled bradykinin on indices of airway responsiveness in asthmatic subjects.

Asthma is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, a physiopathological abnormality which may result from the complex interplay between inflammatory cells and proinflammatory mediators. Although kinins are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, it is not known whether bradykinin is able to induce airway hyperresponsiveness. We have, therefore, investigated the effect of inhaled bradykinin on the changes in airway calibre and in airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine, in a double-blind, randomized study of nine asthmatic subjects. Subjects were studied on two study periods, separated by at least 15 days. On the first day of each study period, subjects inhaled either a single dose of bradykinin or methacholine (placebo) with changes in airway calibre being followed as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and as the maximum expiratory flow rate measured at 70% of the vital capacity below total lung capacity (TLC) from a partial forced expiratory manoeuvre (Vp30) at 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min, and then every hour for 7 h. Airway responsiveness to histamine, expressed as the provocative concentrations producing a 20% fall in FEV1 and 40% fall in Vp30 (PC20FEV1 and PC40Vp30), was measured at 3 and 7 h after inhaling the agonists, then on days 1, 3, 7 and 14. Inhalation of bradykinin caused rapid bronchoconstriction that peaked at 3-5 min. When compared to placebo, no significant difference in histamine responsiveness was seen after bradykinin in terms of changes in PC20FEV1 values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Inhalation↗

Detection of early lung impairment with aerosol bolus dispersion.

The broadening of inhaled aerosol boluses (aerosol bolus dispersion) during respiration provides a noninvasive measure of convective gas mixing in the lungs. In this study, the sensitivity and specificity of this technique for the diagnosis of early lung impairment due to cigarette smoking was evaluated. Two hundred and sixteen randomly selected subjects (126 smokers and 90 nonsmokers) were investigated with aerosol dispersion in comparison to conventional lung function tests. The cumulative cigarette consumption of the subjects was quantified by "pack-years" (PY). Smokers were classified into the following groups: 0 < PY < or = 10; 10 < PY < or = 20; 20 < PY < or = 30; and PY > 30. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal expiratory flow at 25, 50 and 75% vital capacity (MEF25, MEF50 and MEF75) decreased significantly with increasing cigarette consumption. In comparison to nonsmokers, FEV1 was significantly reduced in smokers of 10 < PY < or = 30, and MEF75 was significantly reduced in smokers of PY > 20. Aerosol bolus dispersion increased with increasing PY. For all groups of smokers, even those with PY < 10, bolus dispersion was significantly increased in comparison to lifelong nonsmokers, indicating alterations in convective gas mixing in the lungs. Calculation of receiver operating characteristics for the lung function parameters under consideration showed that bolus dispersion has a higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional lung function parameters. Hence, the aerosol bolus dispersion test could be a promising epidemiological tool to study early abnormalities in intrapulmonary gas mixing due to environmental factors.

Adult↗

Determinants of survival in pulmonary Langerhans' cell granulomatosis (histiocytosis X). Groupe d'Etude en Pathologie Interstitielle de la Société de Pathologie Thoracique du Nord.

The course of pulmonary Langerhans' cell granulomatosis (pulmonary LCG) is variable, difficult to predict and ranges from spontaneous remission to progressive respiratory insufficiency and death. To identify the determinants of survival, we performed a survival analysis on 45 patients with pulmonary LCG. The patients were aged 28 +/- 10 yrs (mean +/- SD) (range 12-62 yrs), 32 males and 13 females, almost exclusively current smokers (96%), and 78% presented symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Diagnosis was made by lung biopsy in 25 patients (56%) and by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) analysis in 20 patients (44%). The patients were followed for a median period of 6 yrs (range 1-29 yrs) after the diagnosis. During the period of observation, 33 (73%) patients survived (median follow-up period = 5.8 yrs; range, 1-29 yrs) and 12 (27%) died or underwent lung transplantation (median follow-up period = 8.4 yrs; range 1.4 - 16.1 yrs). The median survival was approximately 13 years. A univariate analysis demonstrated that diminished survival was significantly associated with: an older age at diagnosis (p = 0.0001); a lower forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio at diagnosis (p = 0.005); a higher residual volume/total lung volume (RV/TLC) ratio at diagnosis (p = 0.02); and steroid therapy during follow-up (p = 0.03). Additional predictive information on mortality was: age > 26 yrs (sensitivity 83%, specificity 64%); FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.66 (sensitivity 75%, specificity 86%); and a RV/TLC ratio > 0.33 (sensitivity 75%, specificity 63%). In multivariate Cox analysis, the combination of factors which gave the best prognostic value was FEV1/FVC ratio and age (p < 0.01). The present findings suggest that adverse prognosis factors at diagnosis in pulmonary Langerhans' cell granulomatosis include older age, lower FEV1/FVC ratio and higher RV/TLC ratio, with additional predictive information on mortality if aged > 26 yrs, FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.66, and RV/TLC ratio > 0.33.

Adolescent↗

Time course of lung volume changes during prolonged treadmill exercise.

It has been known since the 1920s that runners completing marathon races have reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) values. To investigate the time course of these lung volume alterations, we measured FVC and residual volume (RV) in 11 runners before, after, and at 30-min intervals during a 2.5-h treadmill run at just under their marathon pace (70% VO2max). Mean distance run was 21.5 +/- 1.5 (SD) miles in the 2.5-h period. During the first 60 min, both RV and total lung capacity (TLC) decreased by 110 ml, however, this change was not significant (P greater than 0.05). A high correlation (r = 0.93) was observed between delta RV and delta TLC during the first 5 min, while FVC remained unchanged. From 60-90 min, all lung volumes remained constant. From 90-150 min, lung volumes changed in a direction similar to that observed after a marathon, i.e., FVC decreased significantly (5.51 to 5.37 liter between 90 and 150 min, P less than 0.05), TLC remained unchanged (7.41 vs 7.42 liter, P greater than 0.05), and RV showed a nonsignificant increase from 1.90 to 2.05 liter (P greater than 0.05). The data are consistent with multiple mechanisms playing a role in pulmonary function changes during prolonged exercise. The smaller mean decrease in FVC observed in this study, as compared to that found during a marathon, suggested that the marathon imposes a greater demand on the lungs than did treadmill exercise of the duration and relative intensity used in this study.

Adult↗

The effect on pulmonary function of tangential field technique in radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast.

Twenty-five patients treated by lumpectomy and radiotherapy for Stage I breast cancer were enrolled in a prospective study to measure the effects of tangential field irradiation on pulmonary function. Fractional doses of 2 Gy to a total of 50 Gy were administered with the tangential technique. An additional 10 Gy (2 Gy x 5) was given as direct booster. Dynamic and static lung volumes, distribution of ventilation and gas transfer were measured before irradiation and at varying intervals up to 1 year after the completion of therapy. There was a small, but statistically significant decrease in the forced vital capacity (mean 63 ml) and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (mean 79 ml) measured 3 months after irradiation (p less than 0.05). These changes were reversed within 1 year. The reduction in total lung capacity (mean 240 ml) after 3 months was nearly significant (p = 0.06). The remaining variables did not change to a significant degree. We conclude that a slight restrictive ventilatory impairment may occur when a combined tangential and direct booster technique is applied. The changes are, however, small and reversible, and imply no clinical importance.

Adult↗

Blood gas dynamics at the onset of exercise in heart transplant recipients.

One hypothesis to explain the rapid neural component of exercise hyperpnea contends that afferent stimuli originating in the ventricles of the heart act reflexly on the respiratory center at the onset of exercise, ie, "cardiodynamic hyperpnea." Orthotopic cardiac transplantation (Tx) results in the loss of afferent information from the ventricles. Thus, Tx possibly results in transient hypercapnia and hypoxemia in deafferented heart transplant recipients (HTR) at the onset of exercise due to hypoventilation. To examine the cardiodynamic hypothesis, we collected serial arterial blood gas (ABG) samples during both the transient and the steady-state responses to moderate cycle exercise in 5 HTRs (55 +/- 7 years) 14 +/- 7 months post-Tx and 5 control subjects matched with respect to gender, age, and body composition. Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, total lung capacity, and diffusion capacity did not differ (p > or = 0.05) between groups. Resting arterial PO2, PCO2, and pH did not differ between groups (p > or = 0.05). The ABGs were drawn every 30 s during the first 5 min and at 6, 8, and 10 min of constant load square wave cycle exercise at 40 percent of the peak power output (watts). Absolute and relative changes in arterial PO2, PCO2, and pH were similar (p > or = 0.05) between HTR and the control group at all measurement periods during exercise. Heart rate (%HRmax reserve), rating of perceived exertion, and reductions in plasma volume (% delta from baseline) did not differ between HTR and control during exercise at 40 percent of peak power output (p > or = 0.05). Our results demonstrate that there is no discernible abnormality in ABG dynamics during the transient response to exercise at 40 percent of peak power output in patients with known cardiac denervation. These data do not support the cardiodynamic hyperpnea hypothesis of ventilatory control in humans. The absence of hypercapnia in HTRs is further evidence for the existence of redundant mechanisms capable of stimulating exercise hyperpnea.

Adult↗

Is the short-term response to inhaled beta-adrenergic agonist sensitive or specific for distinguishing between asthma and COPD?

In view of the ubiquitous practice of using bronchodilator responsiveness to determine suitable patients for clinical trials, we wanted to know whether changes in FEV1 or forced vital capacity (FVC) really were useful in differentiating COPD from asthma. Pulmonary function test results from 450 patients were documented by two technicians who had been asked to select consecutive studies in which flow-volume loops showed an obstructive pattern. The respirologist responsible for the care of each patient was asked to record the clinical diagnosis from the existing outpatient chart using clinical judgment based on American Thoracic Society criteria. In 395 cases, a single, unambiguous diagnosis of asthma or COPD was recorded; this diagnosis then formed the database for subsequent analysis. While the mean change in FEV1 in patients judged to have asthma was different from that found in COPD patients (16.4 vs 10.6 percent, p < 0.01), the change in FVC was similar (9.8 vs 10.3 percent, p > 0.06). However the sensitivities and specificities of postbronchodilator changes in FEV1 (dFEV1) for the diagnosis of asthma were not generally sufficient to diagnose or exclude asthma reliably. The FEV1 correlated better with residual volume (RV) in COPD (r = -0.55 vs r = -0.31), but with total lung capacity (TLC) in asthma (r = 0.51 vs r = -0.09). However, FEV1 correlated better with the RV-TLC ratio than RV or TLC alone in both groups, the correlation in each being similar (asthma, r = -0.72; COPD, r = -0.78). We conclude that acute responses of FEV1 and FVC following a standard dose of inhaled bronchodilator are neither sufficiently sensitive nor sufficiently specific to differentiate asthma from COPD purely on spirometric grounds. Furthermore, neither RV nor TLC reflected degrees of airflow limitation as well as did the RV-TLC ratio.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Long-term effects of nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation on pulmonary function and sleep architecture in patients with neuromuscular diseases.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This article evaluates the long-term clinical and physiologic effects of nocturnal nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in patients with neuromuscular disease. METHODS: Before and after 18 +/- 2 months of NIPPV, we measured during the daytime arterial blood gases, lung mechanics, and respiratory muscle strength in 8 patients (51 +/- 5 years; mean +/- SEM). Sleep parameters were also evaluated at 10 +/- 2 months. RESULTS: All patients tolerated NIPPV and none required hospitalization during follow-up. After NIPPV, daytime arterial PO2 increased (71 +/- 4 to 81 +/- 2 mm Hg; p < 0.05) and arterial PCO2 decreased (46 +/- 3 to 41 +/- 1 mm Hg; p < 0.05). The change of PaO2 after NIPPV was related to its baseline value (r2 = 0.78, p < 0.05). Vital capacity (50 +/- 6% predicted), total lung capacity (63 +/- 4% predicted), alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (20 +/- 3 mm Hg), and maximal inspiratory (39 +/- 9% predicted) or expiratory (32 +/- 5% predicted) pressures did not change after NIPPV. The apnea-hypopnea index fell from 22 +/- 6 to 1 +/- 1 (p < 0.05), and both sleep architecture and sleep efficiency (from 59 +/- 8% to 83 +/- 5%; p < 0.05) were enhanced. The time spent with an arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) value below 90% decreased from 160 +/- 53 min to 8 +/- 4 min (p < 0.05). Mean (88 +/- 3 to 95 +/- 1%; p < 0.05) and minimal nocturnal SaO2 (67 +/- 5 to 89 +/- 1%; p < 0.001) improved after NIPPV. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with neuromuscular disease, long-term NIPPV is well tolerated and easy to implement clinically. In these patients, long-term NIPPV improves daytime arterial blood gas values and sleep-disordered breathing. However, it does not modify lung mechanics or respiratory muscle strength.

Adult↗

Centrilobular nodules correlate with air trapping in diffuse panbronchiolitis during erythromycin therapy.

BACKGROUND: Low-dose erythromycin therapy improves airflow limitation and airway inflammation in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB). However, to our knowledge there has been no study to determine whether physiologic improvement during erythromycin therapy correlates with radiologic findings. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether improvement in pulmonary function correlates with specific changes on chest CT. DESIGN: The relationship between five CT findings and five pulmonary function parameters was evaluated before and 3 months after low-dose erythromycin therapy in 24 patients with DPB retrospectively. RESULTS: After erythromycin therapy, the predicted percentage of vital capacity (%VC; 87.0 +/- 3.07% vs 98.9 +/- 3.39%; p = 0.00006) and 50% of the maximum midexpiratory flow rate of FVC (1.41 +/- 0.26 L/s vs 1.61 +/- 0.27 L/s; p = 0.03) significantly increased, and the residual volume/total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC%; 44.5 +/- 1.93% vs 40.7 +/- 1.83%; p = 0.0019) significantly decreased, but the FEV(1) to FVC ratio and 25% of the maximum expiratory flow rate of FVC did not. In five CT findings, centrilobular nodules (3.7 +/- 0.4 vs 1.5 +/- 0.3; p = 0.0001), peripheral bronchiolar wall thickness (3.8 +/- 0.3 vs 2.6 +/- 0.4; p = 0.0007), and peripheral bronchiolectasis (2.8 +/- 0.3 vs 2.2 +/- 0.4; p = 0.0058) had significantly improved, whereas low attenuation area and central bronchiectasis had not. There were positive correlations of improved scores of centrilobular nodules with improved %VC (r = 0.58, p = 0.0062) and RV/TLC% (r = 0.64, p = 0.0022). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased air trapping in DPB correlates with an improvement of centrilobular nodules, which reflects the obstructive lesions of bronchioles during the erythromycin therapy.

Bronchiolitis↗

Functional analysis in single-lung transplant recipients: a comparative study of high-resolution CT, 3He-MRI, and pulmonary function tests.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a postprocessing tool to quantify ventilated split-lung volumes on the basis of (3)He-MRI and to apply it in patients after single-lung transplantation (SLTX). High-resolution CT (HRCT) was employed as a reference modality providing split air-filled lung volumes. Lung volumes derived from pulmonary function test results served as clinical parameters and were used as the "gold standard." MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight patients (mean age, 54 years) with emphysema and six patients (mean age, 58 years) with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. All patients were evaluated following SLTX. HRCT was performed during inspiration (slice thickness, 1 mm; increment, 10 mm). For correlation with (3)He-MRI, HRCT images were reconstructed in coronal orientation to match the same anatomic levels. Aerated lung was determined by threshold-based segmentation of CT. (3)He-MRI was performed on a 1.5-T scanner using a two-dimensional, fast low-angle shot sequence in coronal orientation covering the whole lung after inhalation of a 300-mL bolus of hyperpolarized (3)He gas followed by normal room air for the rest of the tidal volume. Lung segmentation on (3)He-MRI was done using different thresholds. RESULTS: In emphysematous patients, (3)He-MRI showed excellent correlation (r = 0.9) with vital capacity, while CT correlated (r = 0.8) with total lung capacity. (3)He-MRI correlated well with CT (r > 0.8) for grafts and native fibrotic lungs. In emphysematous lungs, MRI showed a good correlation (r = 0.7) with the nonemphysematous lung volume from CT. Increasing thresholds in (3)He-MRI reveal differences between aerated and ventilated lung areas with a different distribution in emphysema and fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: (3)He-MRI is superior to CT in emphysema to demonstrate ventilated lung areas that participate in gas exchange. In fibrosis, (3)He-MRI and CT have a similar impact. The decrease pattern and the intraindividual ratio between ventilation of native and transplanted lungs will have to be investigated as a new surrogate for the ventilatory follow-up in patients undergoing SLTX.

Female↗

Effect of oral administration of delta-tetrahydrocannabinol on airway mechanics in normal and asthmatic subjects.

We performed a double-blind study on the effect of oral administration of 10 mg of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol on specific airway conductance (Gaw/VL) and the maximal expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (Vmax 50%) in six control and six asthmatic subjects. In control subjects, there was a slight but statistically significant increase in Gaw/VL after oral administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol; however, there was no significant increase in Vmax 50%. One of the asthmatic patients developed severe bronchoconstriction following administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol; among the remaining five patients, there were variable changes in Gaw/VL and Vmax 50% after oral administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, but mean changes were not significant. Mild effects on the central nervous system (CNS) were observed in three subjects; six subjects, three of whom had unpleasant mood changes, had more prominent CNS effects. We concluded that oral administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol is unlikely to be of therepeutic value in asthma, since its bronchodilator action was mild and inconstant and was associated with significant CNS effects. Moreover, one asthmatic patient developed severe bronchoconstriction following oral administration of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

Adult↗

The effect on expiratory flow rates of smoking three cigarettes in rapid succession.

The effect of smoking three cigarettes in rapid succession on maximal and partial expiratory flow rates was studied in ten healthy smokers. The mean decrease in maximal midexpiratory flow and partial midexpiratory and end-expiratory flow was statistically significant. The response was maximal after the first cigarette. These results suggest that the instantaneous midexpiratory flow after 50% of the forced vital capacity has been exhaled is a useful indicator of irritation of the airways. Reduction of partial expiratory flow rates was three times greater than reduction of maximal expiratory flow rates. We suggest the use of partial expiratory flow curves as a screening test for irritants of the airways.

Adult↗

Can peak expiratory flow predict airflow obstruction in children with asthma?

STUDY OBJECTIVES: A recent trend in the treatment of asthma has been the widespread, independent use of peak expiratory flow (PEF). We examined whether PEF monitoring creates inaccuracies in assessment of children with moderate to severe asthma. METHODS: We compared the negative predictive value of PEF in relation to the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), and to the forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the vital capacity (FEF(25-75%)) at different levels of air trapping as determined by the residual volume over total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC). RESULTS: The study included 244 patients, ages 4 to 18 years with all classes of asthma severity, with FEV(1) ranging from 28% to 134% of predicted value. We analyzed 367 sets of pulmonary function tests performed throughout a 3-year period. Thirty percent of patients with a normal PEF value had an abnormal FEV(1) or FEF(25-75%). As air trapping increased, the ability of a normal PEF to predict normal FEV(1) and FEF(25-75%) readings fell from 83% to 53%. The negative predictive value was significantly lower for patients with RV/TLC ratio >30 compared with patients with RV/TLC <30. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that it might be possible to identify children for whom the PEF is likely to give false-negative results. As air trapping increases, it causes the PEF to give misleading reassurance of normal pulmonary function. Furthermore, poor predictiveness of PEF is obtained when values 80% of predicted for age are considered normal.

Adolescent↗

Respiratory evaluation of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis prior to renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) are important in predicting preoperative pulmonary complications and mortality rate in potentially renal transplant recipients. There is no adequate clinical research aimed at learning the effect of empty and full status of the peritoneal cavity on PFTs and CPET for estimating decide PFTs and CPET timing in preoperative evaluation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PFT and CPET results are altered in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) according to the presence of dialysis solution in the abdomen. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 22 subjects were included (12 male, 10 female, mean age 29.64 +/- 8.29 years, CAPD duration, 37.35 +/- 7.15 months). Data were collected from each patient when the peritoneal cavity was filled with solution (full status) and again when the cavity had been drained (empty status). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), and residual volume (RV) were calculated. Peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and exercise duration were determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. RESULTS: When the peritoneal cavity was empty, mean (+/- SD) values for the parameters tested were % predicted FEV1: 85 +/- 17%, %FEV1/FVC: 84 +/- 8%, % predicted TLC: 98 +/- 17%, % predicted RV: 108 +/- 25%, % predicted DLCO: 90 +/- 14%, peak VO2: 43 +/- 11 ml/kg/min, test duration: 6.8 +/- 1.6 min. When the peritoneal cavity was full, mean (+/- SD) values were % predicted FEV1: 86 +/- 17%, %FEV1/FVC: 83 +/- 7%, % predicted TLC: 91 +/- 14%, % predicted RV: 95 +/- 22%, % predicted DLCO: 87 +/- 16%, peak VO2: 42 +/- 8 ml/kg/min, test duration 6.5 +/- 1.7 min. % predicted FEV1, %FEV1/FVC, % predicted DLCO and peak VO2 were not statistically significant between the mean values at empty status versus those at full status (p < 0.05 for all). There were significant decreases between the mean values for % predicted TLC and % predicted RV at full status versus empty status (p < 0.002 for TLC, p < 0.001 for RV). No statistically significant correlation was found between PFTs and % change ratio of dialysate. CONCLUSION: FEV1, %FEV1/FVC, % predicted DLCO and CPET test results do not differ according to abdomen status in CAPD patients suggesting that the timing of PFT maneuver does not affect preoperative transplantation evaluation. Therefore, when evaluating the results of these tests prior to transplantation period, the presence of dialysis solution in the abdomen may be ignored.

Adult↗

Pulmonary dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus without pulmonary symptoms.

Pulmonary function was measured in a group of 28 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were free of pulmonary involvement at the time of the study. When compared with age and sex matched controls, the SLE patients had a pattern of restriction with reduced lung volumes and vital capacity. Diffusing capacity was reduced in proportion to the reduction in lung volume. This is felt to be most compatible with inapparent pleural thickening resulting in impaired lung expansion. There was no evidence of airway obstruction on maximal expiratory flow-volume curves. The effect of cigarette smoking in the SLE patients was a reduction in flows at low lung volumes, which was indistinguishable from the effects in the control smokers. Both SLE and control smokers had a significant reduction in DL/VA when compared with control nonsmokers. Pulmonary function was not influenced by the presence of renal disease.

Female↗

Pulmonary mechanics in diffuse fibrosing alveolitis.

The mechanical and the diffusing lung properties have been measured in 19 cases of diffuse fibrosing alveolitis of unknown etiology (proved by histology in 17 cases). The characteristic findings are: a) a striking reduction of DLCO in all the cases; b) a marked reduction of the static and dynamic compliance, in correlation with the reduction of vital capacity; c) an increase in P1max in correlation with the decrease of FRC; d) an increase of the elastic recoil when it is considered at various percentages of the predicted lung volume, but in some cases a normal shape of the V-P curve if the measured lung volume is taken into account; e) a reduction of the maximum expiratory flows suggesting bronchiolar stenosis; f) alterations of DL more marked than those of CL suggesting that DL is a more sensitive test.

Adult↗

Normative values of pulmonary function testing in Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the difference in pulmonary function between Caucasians and Chinese and assess the best reference values of pulmonary function for Chinese adults. METHODS: Values for pulmonary function were predicted by tests on 4773 Chinese healthy subjects (male: 2560, female: 2213, aged 15-78 years) in six parts (north, northeast, northwest, east, southwest and south) of China. Prediction equations of the European Community for Steel and Coal (ECSC), other equations for overseas Chinese or for Caucasians were also selected. The regression coefficients of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV) were summarized. RESULTS: ECSC predictions were closer to the Chinese ones than other selected equations. Comparison with ECSC predictions showed that on average the values for FVC, FEV1 were 5.3% smaller in Chinese males and 3.3% smaller in Chinese females, with the maximal differences in south China and the minimal differences in North China. RV and TLC in Chinese were lower than in Caucasians (males 4.8%, 5.5%, respectively; females 8.7% and 6.0%, respectively). Conversion factors were given for adjusting ECSC equations to fit Chinese. CONCLUSIONS: For predicting values of pulmonary function in Chinese, we suggest to use the equations reported here. Alternatively, ECSC regression equations may be used with appropriate conversion factors.

Adolescent↗