Indigenous Regression Equations for Forced Oscillation Technique – A Much Needed Affair

Abstract

Measurement of lung function is an essential component for making decision in patients with obstructive lung diseases. Spirometry is considered as the gold standard for assessment of lung function, both for diagnosis and monitoring in patients with asthma. However, it is difficult to be performed by smaller children due to its effort dependent nature and need for cooperation. Forced Oscillation technique (FOT) is a novel and effort independent pulmonary function test for diagnosis of airway obstruction requiring only tidal breathing maneuver. FOT measures the mechanical properties of respiratory system by imposing multiple sinusoidal pressure waves of different frequencies on tidal breaths and determines various parameters which include impedance (Zrs), resistance (Rrs), reactance (Xrs), resonant frequency (RF) and area under reactance (AX) [1]. The problem with the use of FOT is the nonavailability of standard reference values or equations which preclude their utility on global basis. Also, the normal values of Rrs and Xrs depend on ethnicity, gender, standing height, age, body weight, and measuring techniques which tend to differ among different populations. Hence, it is important to have local reference values for their interpretation.Reference equations determine the lung function values of a single patient by comparing his/her data to the data distributed in the reference population while regression equations determine the expected values of lung function as a function of age, weight and height [2]. Several studies have been done in various populations to generate the reference values for FOT both in adults and children using reference or regression equations determined by multiple linear regression models [3][4][5][6]. It has been observed that the resistance and reactance values vary significantly with age and height in children with height being the strongest covariate in all previous studies in children [3,4,7]. Studies in Caucasian and Italian population have shown more or less similar predicted values while variable values were observed in Mexican population indicating non-applicability of predicted values of one place on global basis [8].The study by De et al. [9] published in this issue has determined FOT prediction equations for within breath and whole breath respiratory impedance by multiple linear regression model in healthy Indian school children aged 5-17 years. The resistance and reactance were measured at frequencies of 5, 11 and 19 Hz. Standing height was found to have significant correlation with Zrs as well as for R5 and X5 which is similar to other studies. Gender based differences were also found in the present study with lower R5 and X5 in boys than girls after 14 y of age. The study has determined regression equations for within breath impedance unlike previous studies. The limitations of the study include involvement of single center and non inclusion of preschool children (3-5 years) where FOT may be considered more useful. Z scores were not determined for the predictive values to de...

<p>Prediction of Spirometric Indices Using Forced Oscillometric Indices in Patients with Asthma, COPD, and Interstitial Lung Disease</p>

“…Although several studies have reported the reference values of FOT data, 6 it was also reported that the normal values of resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) differ depending on ethnicity, sex, standing height, age, body weight, oscillometric devices, and measuring techniques. 7 In Japan, reference values for FOT measurements in middle-aged and elderly Japanese individuals have been published. 8 However, 44.8% of the population included in that study had abnormal spirometric findings, and it is unclear how many subjects had abnormal chest radiography findings.…”