A recent study suggests that a reduced predicted FEF25%-75% value, representing small-airways function, was an indicator of developing and progressing asthma. Asthma and small airways disease involves the progressive or acute (attack) narrowing and inflammation of the small airways within the lungs. The study comprised of a retrospective dataset of spirometry. Of the 1801 adult patients, 332 had detailed clinical history which was explored to gage incidents of asthma and the association with the FEF1 25-75% marker.
The study presented that FEV1% and FEF25-75% correlated with the airway hyperresponsiveness seen in asthma. The FEF25-75% marker was associated with a characteristic scalloping curve seen in the flow loops. This was reflected in the marker value itself which could be used to predicting severe asthma and small airways disease (SAD).
The study concluded that from the data analysed, FEF25-75% was a more sensitive marker for predicting the development and progression of severe asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and SAD than FEV1 values.
Read the original publication here:
Rundong Qin, Jaiaying An, Jaixing Xie, Renbin Huang, Yanqing Xie, Li He, Hui Xv, Geng Qian, Jing Li. (2021). FEF25-75% Is a More Sensitive Measure Reflecting Airway Dysfunction in Patients with Asthma: A Comparison Study Using FEF25-75% and FEV1%. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Volume 9, Issue 10, October 2021, Pages 3649-3659.e6. Available online 30 June 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2021.06.027.
Read the article here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213219821007157
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