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Peak Expiratory Flowing Rate

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Peak expiratory flowing rate or PEFR is the highest rate of air flowing out when a person performs a forced breath out. PEFR is measured in very short period time; usually, the rate of air flow is estimated simultaneously when he or she breathes out. The most significant factor influencing PEFR is how much bronchial airways are obstructed. PEFR also depends on other factors such as height, age and gender. Thus, PEFR is not an absolute indicator to determine airway resistance; hence, it is imperative to assess PEFR values with respect to all factors. (Generally, it implies that) the results obtained from tests need to be considered within an appropriate range of height and age in which people belongs to.

Measuring PEFR plays a vitally significant …show more content…

(1984) did a study about the dependence of PEFR on height on age but not gender. British boys and girls at the age of 7-16 years old were subject to research with permission from their parents. Their parents were asked to do a questionnaire to provide data on history of asthma and current health status. The children’s heights were then recorded and PEFR was measured by Wright peak flow meter. The study showed a strong relationship between height and PEFR for boys.
Figure 1: A graph shows the dependence of PEFR on heights of British boys at the age of 7-17 years old.

Host et al. (1994) conducted an analogous experiment to measure peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of healthy children at the age of 6-17. A questionnaire is also asked to be completed by the parents to provide data on asthma and health status of their children. Other factors related to smoking were also considered. Finally, 861 healthy children recorded their PEFR values as well as their ages and their heights. The correlation between children’s heights and their values is indicated by the following graph and table.
Figure 2: A bar graph indicates average values of PEFR measured by Wright peak flow meter of both male and female healthy children at the age of 6-17 (Host et al. 1994)
Table 1: Average values of PEFR of healthy boys and girls at the age of

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