OBJECTIVE To compare measurements of the peak expiratory flow rate taken by the mini Wright peak flow meter and the turbine spirometer. DESIGN Pragmatic study with randomised order of use of recording instruments. Phase 1 compared a peak expiratory flow type expiration recorded by the mini Wright peak flow meter with an expiration to forced vital capacity recorded by the turbine spirometer. P...

CONTEXT During the past decade, several guidelines on the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma have been developed. However, strategies for implementing these guidelines have not been systematically evaluated. OBJECTIVE To test a quality system intended to improve general practitioners' compliance with recently established guidelines. DESIGN Before-after study with...

Eleven adult patients with nocturnal asthma, and gastro-oesophageal reflux documented by endoscopy or ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring completed a double-blind cross-over study (4 week treatment, one week run-in and cross-over periods) comparing the effects of omeprazole 20 mg daily and placebo on asthma control assessed by symptoms, peak expiratory flow rate and bronchodilator usage. Omepr...

The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of SCUBA to the pulmonary effects of diving to 4.5 meters depth in healthy subjects using a randomized crossover control condition. Ten healthy divers performed two 60-minute 'dives' using SCUBA in a swimming pool. The non-immersed 1 ATA SCUBA control exposure took place at ambient pressure in the laboratory. Thirty minutes prior to, and ...

The use of peak flow meters has been widely adopted for monitoring patients with asthma. The Working Party of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) has solely addressed technical and physiological issues relating to peak expiratory flow (PEF) (flow describes the rate of change of volume (volume rate), so that flow rate is equivalent to volume acceleration. Hence, PEF should be used in preferen...