Peak flow meter with few symptom questions can be effectively used in clinical practice for objective detection of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in the absence of good quality spirometry. At a cut-off of 0.75, the FEV 1/FEV 6 had the best accuracy (Sn 80%, Sp 86%) to detect airflow limitation. Respiratory symptoms with PEF < 80% predicted, had Sn 84 and Sp 93% to detect OAD. A peak expiratory flow of < 80% predicted was the best cut-off to detect airflow limitation (Sn 90%, Sp 50%). "Asymptomatic period > 2 weeks" had the best sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp) to differentiate asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. "Breathlessness > 6months" and "cough > 6months" were important symptoms to detect obstructive airways disease. One eighty nine patients (78 females) with age 51 ± 17 years with asthma (115), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (33) and others (41) completed the study. Physician made a final diagnosis of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and others. ![]() Spirometry was repeated after bronchodilation. Two hundred consecutive patients with respiratory complaints answered a short symptom questionnaire and performed peak expiratory flow measurements, standard spirometry with Koko spirometer and mini-spirometry (COPD-6). However, the accuracy of these tools together, in clinical settings for disease diagnosis, has not been studied. Peak flow meter with questionnaire and mini-spirometer are considered as alternative tools to spirometry for screening of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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