Tuberc Respir Dis.  2006 Sep;61(3):227-232. 10.4046/trd.2006.61.3.227.

The Complementary Role of FEV6 in Bronchodilator Reversibility Test for the Old Age

• Kim SH
• Lee YD
• Lee JY
• Cho YS
• Na DJ
• Han MS

• KMID: 1970261
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2006.61.3.227

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the measurement of bronchodilator reversibility, the forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV(1)) and the forced vital capacity(FVC) are commonly used parameters and recommended criteria for the reversibility requiring an increase of more than 200ml and 12% above the baseline, respectively. However, aged patients do not often meet the criteria of an increase in volume(>200ml) even though the medical history of that patient is adequate for asthma. This study investigated the role of the forced expiratory volume in six seconds(FEV(6)) in the bronchodilator reversibility test in elderly patients.
METHODS
A total of 236 patients more than 65 years of age with a FEV(1)/FVC ratio<80% were enrolled in this study. The bronchodilator revesibility tests were examined. With the setting FEV(1) as the baseline, the patients were divided into three groups; Group I: FEV(1)> or = 80% of the predicted value, Group II: 60%RESULTS
Positive reversibility in the FEV(1), FEV(6), and FVC was in 33(14.0%), 49(20.8%) and 55(23.3%). However, Group III presented with reversibility in the FEV(1), FEV(6), and FVC in 15(22.4%), 30(44.8%) and 32(47.8%) respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The FEV6 might be used as a complementary parameter in bronchodilatror reversibility in elderly patients. However, more study will be needed to determine the usefulness of FEV(6) in bronchodilator reversibility test.

Keyword

FEV(6); Bronchodilator reversibility test; The old age

MeSH Terms

Aged
Asthma
Forced Expiratory Volume
Humans

Figure

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  Figure 1 Positive reversibility according to the different parameters for each groups of 236 patients

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