ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Airway resistance measured by the interrupter technique: normative data for 2–10 year olds of three ethnicities

S A McKenzie, E Chan, I Dundas, P D Bridge, C S Pao, M Mylonopoulou, M J R Healy

Royal London Hospital, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr S A McKenzie, 2nd floor, Fielden House, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, UK;
s.a.mckenzie{at}qmul.ac.uk

Background and Aims: The measurement of airway resistance using the interrupter technique (R_int) is feasible in preschool children and other subjects unable to undertake spirometry. This makes it potentially useful for the measurement of lung function in these groups. Commercial devices use different algorithms to measure pressure and flow from which R_int is derived. This study provides normative values for British children using devices from a single manufacturer.

Methods: R_int was measured in 236 healthy children of three ethnic groups (Afro-Caribbean and black African, Bangladeshi, and white British) aged 2–10 years using Micro Medical devices. Software in the devices calculated R_int from pressure measured by the two point, back extrapolation method from the pressure transient during valve closure, with flow measured just before valve closure.

Results: R_int is related to both age and height, but when age is allowed for there is not a significant relation with height. Neither gender nor any of the ethnicities studied was significantly related to R_int.

Discussion: These measurements in healthy children using this technique may be used as reference data for similar populations.

Keywords: interrupter technique; normative data

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Li, A. M., Lam, H. S., So, H. K., Leung, M., Tsen, T., Au, C. T., Chang, A. B. (2009). Interrupter Respiratory Resistance in Healthy Chinese Preschool Children. Chest 136: 554-560 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Beydon, N., Davis, S. D., Lombardi, E., Allen, J. L., Arets, H. G. M., Aurora, P., Bisgaard, H., Davis, G. M., Ducharme, F. M., Eigen, H., Gappa, M., Gaultier, C., Gustafsson, P. M., Hall, G. L., Hantos, Z., Healy, M. J. R., Jones, M. H., Klug, B., Lodrup Carlsen, K. C., McKenzie, S. A., Marchal, F., Mayer, O. H., Merkus, P. J. F. M., Morris, M. G., Oostveen, E., Pillow, J. J., Seddon, P. C., Silverman, M., Sly, P. D., Stocks, J., Tepper, R. S., Vilozni, D., Wilson, N. M., on behalf of the American Thoracic Society/Europea, (2007). An Official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement: Pulmonary Function Testing in Preschool Children. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 175: 1304-1345 [Full Text]  
• Brussee, J. E., Smit, H. A., Koopman, L. P., Wijga, A. H., Kerkhof, M., Corver, K., Vos, A. P. H., Gerritsen, J., Grobbee, D. E., Brunekreef, B., Merkus, P. J. F. M., de Jongste, J. C. (2004). Interrupter Resistance and Wheezing Phenotypes at 4 Years of Age. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 169: 209-213 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Brand, P L P, Roorda, R J (2003). Usefulness of monitoring lung function in asthma. Arch. Dis. Child. 88: 1021-1025 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Chan, E Y, Bridge, P D, Dundas, I, Pao, C S, Healy, M J R, McKenzie, S A (2003). Repeatability of airway resistance measurements made using the interrupter technique. Thorax 58: 344-347 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Bridge, P. D., McKenzie, S. A., Beydon, N., Alberti, C., Gaultier, C. (2003). Time for standardization. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 167: 666-666 [Full Text]  
• Pao, C. S., McKenzie, S. A. (2002). Randomized Controlled Trial of Fluticasone in Preschool Children with Intermittent Wheeze. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 166: 945-949 [Abstract] [Full Text]