Peak expiratory flow rate of Nepalese children and young adults

Abstract

Introduction: In diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases, the assessment of lung functions is of considerable importance. So, normal reference values for pulmonary function tests of any population need to be assessed. Objective: An attempt has been made in the present study to measure the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in healthy Nepalese children and young adults. Material and methods: One hundred ninety six (196) students were selected by inclusion criteria from different schools and colleges in Pokhara Sub- Metropolitan City, Nepal. The anthropometric measurements and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were measured by standard procedures. Result: The mean PEFR values of males and females are found to have 350.3 (±135.0) l.min-1 and 280.2 (±98.77) l. min-1 respectively. The PEFR values of Nepalese males of the present study are found to be higher as compared to their females' counterparts. It is interestingly noted that at preadolescence time, PEFR is almost comparable in both sexes but after puberty males attained significantly higher values than females. The trend of PEFR values with development of the age is also been noted. It is interestingly pointed out that PEFR values of Nepalese males in the present study increases significantly with the advancement of age up to 20 years of age and then after PEFR do not change. On the other hand, females showed significant PEFR increment with the advancement of age up to 15 years of age only and then after PEFR do not improve significantly. Conclusion: PEFR was found to be influenced significantly by height not by the weight. Finally, a prediction equation was established by which PEFR of Nepalese population of 5 to 25 years of age can be estimated from age or height. Keywords: Peak expiratory flow rate, Nepalese children, Growth & Development, sex difference and obesity     doi: 10.3126/kumj.v6i3.1710 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2008), Vol. 6, No. 3, Issue 23, 346-354