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Title
The positive association between various demographic characteristics and peak expiratory flow in employees of Zanjan university of medical sciences
Type Article
Keywords
Peak expiratory flow, Height, Body mass index
Abstract
Introduction: Peak expiratory flow (PEF) is a reliable criterion for assessing respiratory capacity, and has a wide range of clinical application as a marker of asthma control. However, its wide variability undermines its efficacy. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate PEF changes in staff of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Patients and Methods: Four hundred employees of this university participated in this cross-sectional study. Their PEF values were measured using peak flow meter in the morning at 8 AM and in the afternoon at 2 PM by three times for each individual, and then the highest amount of PEF was recorded about for measurement. Results: Obviously, PEF values were higher in the afternoon (43865 L/min) in comparison to the morning measurements (404.60 L/min) by paired t test (P < 0.001). In addition, mean of PEF in the males was higher than the females in the morning (469.77 L/min, versus 355.94 L/min; independent t test, P < 0.001), and also PEF mean of the morning and afternoon was higher in the males than females (404.6 L/min, versus 338.65 L/min, independent t test, P < 0.001). Additionally, the variability level in the males and females was 8.39 ± 6 and 8.47±4 L/min, respectively. There was a high correlation between the level of PEF variability and height (5.1). Meanwhile, a moderate correlation between PEF level and body mass index (BMI) was detected (1.47). There was not any correlation between the level of PEF and age. Conclusion: Based on our findings, PEF inter-individual variability depends on age, gender height, and BMI however, it is worthwhile that this PEF inter-individual variability to be measured just until 4 PM. All these variables were obtained under the range of 20%; however, relying on references, the variability of 20% is considered as normal.
Researchers samad ghodrati (First researcher) , Jafar Kiasatfar (Second researcher) , negin parsamanesh (Third researcher) , Shohreh Alian Samakkhah (Fourth researcher) , masoud asadi khiavi (Fifth researcher) , aiyoub pezeshgi (Not in first six researchers)