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Elayne Moura Teixeira,1 Caroline Oliveira Ribeiro,1 Agnaldo José Lopes,2,3 Pedro Lopes de Melo1,4 1Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory, Institute of Biology and Faculty of Engineering, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 2Pulmonary Function Laboratory, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 3Pulmonary Rehabilitation Laboratory, Augusto Motta University Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 4Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Research in Vascular Biology - Biomedical Center, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilCorrespondence: Pedro Lopes de Melo, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Pavilhão Haroldo Lisboa da Cunha, Sala 104, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20550-013, Brazil, Tel +55-21-2334-0705, Email plopes@uerj.brPurpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) phenotypes may introduce different characteristics that need to be known to improve treatment. Respiratory oscillometry provides a detailed analysis and may offer insight into the pathophysiology of COPD. In this paper, we used this method to evaluate the differences in respiratory mechanics of COPD phenotypes.Patients and Methods: This study investigated a sample of 83 volunteers, being divided into control group (CG = 20), emphysema (n = 23), CB (n = 20) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS, n = 20). These analyses were performed before and after bronchodilator (BD) use. Functional capacity was evaluated using the Glittre‑ADL test, handgrip strength and respiratory pressures.Results: Initially it was observed that oscillometry provided a detailed description of the COPD phenotypes, which was consistent with the involved pathophysiology. A correlation between oscillometry and functional capacity was observed (r=− 0.541; p = 0.0001), particularly in the emphysema phenotype (r = − 0.496, p = 0.031). BD response was different among the studied phenotypes. This resulted in an accurate discrimination of ACOS from CB [area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) = 0.84] and emphysema (AUC = 0.82).Conclusion: These results offer evidence that oscillatory indices may enhance the comprehension and identification of COPD phenotypes, thereby potentially improving the support provided to these patients.Keywords: asthma-COPD overlap, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, respiratory impedance, handgrip analysis, Glittre-ADL test, forced oscillation technique, bronchodilator response

Background: The current morphological condition of an individual is described by a somatotype, which is a three-number scale. The endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph components are presented in the same sequence, and each number corresponds to one of the three basic components of body composition. Methods: We recruited 50 healthy male subjects with a mean age of 24.10 ± 4.55 yrs. Somatotype was determined by the Heath and Carter method. Impulse oscillometry was performed followed by spirometry according to the European Respiratory Society (ERS) or American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines. Resistance at 5 Hz (R5) %pred, R20%pred, R5–R20, X5%pred, X20, area of reactance (Ax) and resonant frequency (Fres) were obtained by doing impulse oscillometry. Slow vital capacity (SVC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) were assessed by doing spirometry. Results: Endomorphs (0.05 (0.00–0.09) vs 0.01 (0.00–0.04); P < 0.0001) and mesomorphs (0.04 (0.000.09) vs 0.01 (0.00–0.04); P = 0.002) had significantly higher R5–R20 than ectomorphs. Similarly, endomorphs (0.32 (0.07–0.82) vs 0.15 (0.08–0.35); P = 0.001) and mesomorphs (0.28 (0.17–0.64) vs 0.15 (0.08–0.35); P = 0.015) also showed significantly higher Ax than ectomorphs, Fres of endomorphs (15.37 (8.43–21.85) vs 10.08 (8.94–14.30); P < 0.0001) and mesomorphs (14.32 (10.24–20.86) vs 10.08 (8.94-14.30); P < 0.0001) were significantly high than ectomorphs. Moreover, spirometric measures reveal significant variation in which mesomorphs had significantly higher values of % predicted of FVC than ectomorphs (92.49 ± 7.211 vs 83.86 ± 7.861; P = 0.042) and the ratio of FEV1 to FVC was significantly higher in ectomorphs than in endomorphs (89.00 ± 5.80 vs 85.04 ± 5.73; P = 0.03). Conclusion: Peripheral airway dysfunction was observed in endomorphs and mesomorphs as compared to ectomorphs. Mesomorphs had a relatively higher FVC that may be due to their greater muscular strength.

Background: The current morphological condition of an individual is described by a somatotype, which is a three-number scale. The endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph components are presented in the same sequence, and each number corresponds to one of the three basic components of body composition. Methods: We recruited 50 healthy male subjects with a mean age of 24.10 ± 4.55 yrs. Somatotype was determined by the Heath and Carter method. Impulse oscillometry was performed followed by spirometry according to the European Respiratory Society (ERS) or American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines. Resistance at 5 Hz (R5) %pred, R20%pred, R5–R20, X5%pred, X20, area of reactance (Ax) and resonant frequency (Fres) were obtained by doing impulse oscillometry. Slow vital capacity (SVC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) were assessed by doing spirometry. Results: Endomorphs (0.05 (0.00–0.09) vs 0.01 (0.00–0.04); P < 0.0001) and mesomorphs (0.04 (0.000.09) vs 0.01 (0.00–0.04); P = 0.002) had significantly higher R5–R20 than ectomorphs. Similarly, endomorphs (0.32 (0.07–0.82) vs 0.15 (0.08–0.35); P = 0.001) and mesomorphs (0.28 (0.17–0.64) vs 0.15 (0.08–0.35); P = 0.015) also showed significantly higher Ax than ectomorphs, Fres of endomorphs (15.37 (8.43–21.85) vs 10.08 (8.94–14.30); P < 0.0001) and mesomorphs (14.32 (10.24–20.86) vs 10.08 (8.94-14.30); P < 0.0001) were significantly high than ectomorphs. Moreover, spirometric measures reveal significant variation in which mesomorphs had significantly higher values of % predicted of FVC than ectomorphs (92.49 ± 7.211 vs 83.86 ± 7.861; P = 0.042) and the ratio of FEV1 to FVC was significantly higher in ectomorphs than in endomorphs (89.00 ± 5.80 vs 85.04 ± 5.73; P = 0.03). Conclusion: Peripheral airway dysfunction was observed in endomorphs and mesomorphs as compared to ectomorphs. Mesomorphs had a relatively higher FVC that may be due to their greater muscular strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Lung function analysis in Parkinson's disease (PD) is often difficult due to the demand for adequate forced expiratory maneuvers. Respiratory oscillometry exams require onlyquiet tidal breathing and provide a detailed analysis of respiratory mechanics. We hypothesized that oscillometry would simplify the diagnosis of respiratory abnormalitiesin PD and improve our knowledge about the pathophysiological changes in these patients. Materials and methods This observational study includes 20 controls and 47 individuals with PD divided into three groups (Hoehn and Yahr Scale 1–1.5; H&Y scale 2–3 and PD smokers).The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by investigating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results Initial stages are related to increased peripheral resistance (Rp; p = 0.001). In more advanced stages, a restrictive pattern is added, reflected by reductions in dynamic compliance (p

BackgroundEvaluating oscillometry parameters separately for the inspiratory and expiratory breath phases and their within-breath differences can help to identify exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in pediatric outpatients disclosing exercise-induced symptoms (EIS).AimsTo assess the response in impedance parameters following an exercise challenge in patients reporting EIS.MethodsSixty-eight patients reporting EIS (34 asthmatics and 34 suspected of asthma, age mean = 10.8 years, range = 6.0–16.0) underwent an incremental treadmill exercise test. Spirometry was performed at baseline and 1, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-min post exercise. Oscillometry was performed at baseline and at 3- and 18-min post exercise. Bronchodilator response to 200 µg albuterol was then assessed. EIB was defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) fall ≥10% from baseline. Expiratory and inspiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs), their z-score (Ducharme et al. 2022), and their mean within-breath differences (ΔRrs = Rrsexp-Rrsinsp, ΔXrs = Xrsexp-Xrsinsp) were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and their areas (AUCs) were used to evaluate impedance parameters’ performances in classifying EIB.ResultsAsthmatic patients developed EIB more frequently than those suspected of asthma [18/34 (52.9%) vs. 2/34 (5.9%), p

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder that results from the dysfunction of motile cilia, which can cause chronic upper and lower respiratory infections leading to bronchiectasis. However, there is a need for additional tools to monitor the progression of bronchiectasis in PCD. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is an effort-independent lung function test that can be used to evaluate respiratory mechanics. In this retrospective study, we aimed to describe the radiographic findings associated with respiratory impedance (resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs)) measured by FOT in six adult PCD patients and one pediatric with the (RSPH4A (c.921+3_921+6delAAGT (intronic)) founder mutation. We compared the radiographic findings on a high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) scan with the FOT results. Our findings suggest that respiratory impedance measured by FOT may be a valuable tool for detecting and monitoring the progression of bronchiectasis in PCD patients with the (RSPH4A (c.921+3_921+6delAAGT (intronic)) founder mutation. However, further research is necessary to validate these results and determine the sensitivity and specificity of bronchiectasis monitoring in PCD patients with other genetic mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caroline Oliveira Ribeiro,1 Agnaldo José Lopes,2,3 Pedro Lopes de Melo1 1Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory, Institute of Biology and Faculty of Engineering, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 2Pulmonary Function Laboratory, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 3Pulmonary Rehabilitation Laboratory, Augusto Motta University Center, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilCorrespondence: Pedro Lopes de Melo, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Pavilhão Haroldo Lisboa da Cunha, Sala 104, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil, Tel +55-21-2334-0705, Email plopes@uerj.brPurpose: Respiratory oscillometry has emerged as a powerful method for detecting respiratory abnormalities in COPD. However, this method has not been widely introduced into clinical practice. This limitation arises, at least in part, because the clinical meaning of the oscillometric parameters is not clear. In this paper, we evaluated the association of oscillometry with functional capacity and its ability to predict abnormal functional capacity in COPD.Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated a control group formed by 30 healthy subjects and 30 outpatients with COPD. The subjects were classified by the Glittre‑ADL test and handgrip strength according to the functional capacity.Results: This study has shown initially that subjects with abnormal functional capacity had a higher value for resistance (p < 0.05), reactance area (Ax, p < 0.01), impedance modulus (Z4, p < 0.05), and reduced dynamic compliance (Cdyn, p < 0.05) when compared with subjects with normal functional capacity. This resulted in significant and consistent correlations among resistive oscillometric parameters (R=− 0.43), Cdyn (R=− 0.40), Ax (R = 0.42), and Z4 (R = 0.41) with exercise performance. Additionally, the effects of exercise limitation in COPD were adequately predicted, as evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) obtained by receiver operating characteristic analysis. The best parameters for this task were R4-R20 (AUC = 0.779) and Ax (AUC = 0.752).Conclusion: Respiratory oscillometry provides information related to functional capacity in COPD. This method is also able to predict low exercise tolerance in these patients. These findings elucidate the physiological and clinical meaning of the oscillometric parameters, improving the interpretation of these parameters in COPD patients.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD physiopathology, forced oscillation technique, respiratory impedance, Glittre-ADL test, handgrip strength, exercise limitation

Abstract Background Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a type of pulmonary hypertension caused by persistent thromboembolism of the pulmonary arteries. In clinical practice, CTEPH patients often show obstructive ventilatory impairment, even in the absence of a smoking history. Recent reports imply a tendency for CTEPH patients to have a lower FEV1.0; however, the mechanism underlying obstructive impairment remains unknown. Methods We retrospectively analyzed CTEPH patients who underwent a pulmonary function test and respiratory impedance test to evaluate their exertional dyspnea during admission for right heart catheterization from January 2000 to December 2019. We excluded patients with a smoking history to rule out the effect of smoking on obstructive impairment. Results A total of 135 CTEPH patients were analyzed. The median FEV1.0/FVC was 76.0%, %FEV 1.0 had a negative correlation with the mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance and the CT Angiogram (CTA) obstruction score. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that the CTA obstruction score was an independent factor of a lower %FEV1.0. In the 54 patients who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy, %FEV1.0 was improved in some cases and was not in some. Mean PAP largely decreased after PEA in the better %FEV1.0 improved cases, suggesting that vascular involvement in CTEPH could be associated with spirometry obstructive impairment. Conclusion %FEV1.0 had a significant correlation with the CTA obstruction score. Obstructive impairment might have an etiological relationship with vascular involvement. Further investigations could shed new light on the etiology of CTEPH.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder that results from the dysfunction of motile cilia, which can cause chronic upper and lower respiratory infections leading to bronchiectasis. However, there is a need for additional tools to monitor the progression of bronchiectasis in PCD. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is an effort-independent lung function test that can be used to evaluate respiratory mechanics. In this retrospective study, we aimed to describe the radiographic findings associated with respiratory impedance (resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs)) measured by FOT in six adult PCD patients and one pediatric with the (RSPH4A (c.921+3_921+6delAAGT (intronic)) founder mutation. We compared the radiographic findings on a high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) scan with the FOT results. Our findings suggest that respiratory impedance measured by FOT may be a valuable tool for detecting and monitoring the progression of bronchiectasis in PCD patients with the (RSPH4A (c.921+3_921+6delAAGT (intronic)) founder mutation. However, further research is necessary to validate these results and determine the sensitivity and specificity of bronchiectasis monitoring in PCD patients with other genetic mutations.

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) often coexists with asthma and exacerbates respiratory symptoms. A noninvasive method could be considered beneficial for the detection and follow-up of VCD complicated by asthma. Here, we report a case of VCD complicated by asthma, highlighting the effectiveness of colored three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of respiratory impedance using a broadband frequency forced oscillation technique (MostGraph). A 74-year-old woman with difficult-to-treat asthma, in whom mepolizumab treatment was ineffective, was referred to our hospital. Stridulous sounds were loudest over the anterior neck. Pulmonary function tests' results were normal; however, a flattening of the inspiratory flow-volume curve was detected. Remarkably, prominent spikes were observed in the inspiratory phase in the colored 3-D imaging of respiratory resistance, which was superimposed on increased respiratory resistance in the expiratory phase. Flexible laryngoscopy revealed the adduction of vocal cords on inspiration. The patient was diagnosed with asthma complicated by VCD. After successful treatment of VCD by speech therapy, inspiratory spikes of respiratory resistance disappeared, and normal vocal cord movement was observed on laryngoscopy. The present case report indicates the effectiveness of forced oscillometry in evaluating dynamic changes in respiratory resistance for detecting and monitoring VCD complicated by asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of impedance parameters to detect airflow obstruction and the severity of airflow obstruction in adults. METHODS: The spirometry parameters (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV1/FVC, FVC3/FVC, and FEF25-75) and respiratory impedance parameters (R5, R19, R5-19, and X5) measured by forced oscillation technique of consecutive 299 adults (male: 186) were included in the present analysis. The Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to assess the correlations of impedance parameters with spirometry indices. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess respiratory impedance parameters' diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 54.1 ± 12.3 years, and 99 individuals (33%) had airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.70) in spirometry. All spirometry indices (% of predicted) showed a weak negative correlation with R5, R19, R5-19, and weak positive correlation with X5. The R5 >142% predicted and X5 >136% predicted had the maximum AUC (0.75) with a sensitivity of up to 56% and specificity up to 86% to identify airflow obstruction. The impedance parameters showed low concordance with the severity of airflow obstruction. CONCLUSION: Respiratory impedance parameters had insufficient sensitivity to diagnose airflow obstruction and the severity of obstruction in adults. Thus, impedance parameters cannot a substitute for spirometry in diagnosing obstructive lung function.

During mechanical ventilation, lung function and gas exchange in structurally heterogeneous lungs may be improved when volume oscillations at the airway opening are applied at multiple frequencies simultaneously, a technique referred to as multifrequency oscillatory ventilation (MFOV). This is in contrast to conventional high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), for which oscillatory volumes are applied at a single frequency. In the present study, as a means of fully realizing the potential of MFOV, we designed and tested a computer-controlled hybrid oscillatory ventilator capable of generating the flows, tidal volumes, and airway pressures required for MFOV, HFOV, conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV), as well as oscillometric measurements of respiratory impedance. The device employs an iterative spectral feedback controller to generate a wide range of oscillatory waveforms. The performance of the device meets that of commercial mechanical ventilators in volume-controlled mode. Oscillatory modes of ventilation also meet design specifications in a mechanical test lung, over frequencies from 4 to 20 Hz and mean airway pressure from 5 to 30 cmH 2 O. In proof-of-concept experiments, the oscillatory ventilator maintained adequate gas exchange in a porcine model of acute lung injury, using combinations of conventional and oscillatory ventilation modalities. In summary, our novel device is capable of generating a wide range of conventional and oscillatory ventilation waveforms with potential to enhance gas exchange, while simultaneously providing less injurious ventilation., (Copyright © 2025 by ASME.)

Abstract Background Fractional-order (FrOr) models have a high potential to improve pulmonary science. These models could be useful for biomechanical studies and diagnostic purposes, offering accurate models with an improved ability to describe nature. This paper evaluates the performance of the Forced Oscillation (FO) associated with integer (InOr) and FrOr models in the analysis of respiratory alterations in work-related asthma (WRA). Methods Sixty-two individuals were evaluated: 31 healthy and 31 with WRA with mild obstruction. Patients were analyzed pre- and post-bronchodilation. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). To evaluate how well do the studied models correspond to observed data, we analyzed the mean square root of the sum (MSEt) and the relative distance (R d) of the estimated model values to the measured resistance and reactance measured values. Results and discussion Initially, the use of InOr and FrOr models increased our understanding of the WRA physiopathology, showing increased peripheral resistance, damping, and hysteresivity. The FrOr model (AUC = 0.970) outperformed standard FO (AUC = 0.929), as well as InOr modeling (AUC = 0.838) in the diagnosis of respiratory changes, achieving high accuracy. FrOr improved the curve fitting (MSEt = 0.156 ± 0.340; R d = 3.026 ± 1.072) in comparison with the InOr model (MSEt = 0.367 ± 0.991; R d = 3.363 ± 1.098). Finally, we demonstrated that bronchodilator use increased dynamic compliance, as well as reduced damping and peripheral resistance. Conclusions Taken together, these results show clear evidence of the utility of FO associated with fractional-order modeling in patients with WRA, improving our knowledge of the biomechanical abnormalities and the diagnostic accuracy in this disease.

Noemi Porojan-Suppini, Ovidiu Fira-Mladinescu, Monica Marc, Emanuela Tudorache, Cristian Oancea Department of Pulmonology, Center for Research and Innovation in Personalized Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeș”, Timișoara, RomaniaCorrespondence: Ovidiu Fira-MladinescuDepartment of Pulmonology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeș”, Str. Gheorghe Adam nr. 13, Timișoara 300310, RomaniaTel +40 745608856Email mladinescu@umft.roAbstract: Over the past decades, impulse oscillometry (IOS) has gained ground in the battery of pulmonary function tests. Performing the test requires minimal cooperation of the patient; therefore, it is a useful tool, especially in evaluating lung mechanics in children, elderly patients, and those who cannot perform spirometry. Oscillometry has also been used in both clinical and research departments. Studies were published mainly in asthma regarding detection of bronchodilator response and the therapeutic response to different drugs. Furthermore, it has been shown to be a sensitive technique to evaluate disease control. Other studied diseases were COPD, interstitial lung diseases, small airway disease, impairment of lung function due to exposure to occupational hazards or smoking, central airways obstruction, cystic fibrosis, monitoring lung mechanics during mechanical ventilation and sleep, neuromuscular diseases, lung transplant, and graft function. The aim of this review is to present the utility of oscillometry on the previously mentioned clinical fields.Keywords: oscillometry, pulmonary function tests, respiratory resistance, respiratory impedance

Background: Forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a technique to measure the mechanical properties of the lung. The present study was aimed to develop regression equations of within- and whole-breath respiratory impedance (Zrs) of healthy Indian adults. Methods: Total 323 adults were sequentially screened. Smokers, individuals with respiratory symptoms or diseases, and unable to perform acceptable FOT were excluded. Within- and whole-breath resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) were measured at 5, 11, and 19 Hz by Resmon Pro® Full device. The regression equations of within- and whole-breath Rrs and Xrs were generated separately for men and women by multiple linear regression models. Results: The FOT data of 253 individuals (122 men) aged 18–81 years were included in the analysis. The magnitudes of whole-breath Rrs at 5 Hz (4.53 ± 1.05 cmH2O/L/s in women vs. 3.26 ± 1.05 cmH2O/L/s in men; P = 0.000) and whole-breath Xrs at 5 Hz (−1.23 ± 0.66 cmH2O/L/s in women vs. −1.00 ± 0.54 cmH2O/L/s in men; P = 0.003) of women were significantly of higher magnitude as compared to men. The standing height was the best determinant of Zrs, followed by body weight; the effect of age was negligible and was observed in men only. The magnitudes of both Rrs and Xrs decrease with an increase in standing height of both men and women. Conclusions: The present study provides regression equations of within- and whole-breath respiratory impedance of Indian adults.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a type of pulmonary hypertension caused by persistent thromboembolism of the pulmonary arteries. In clinical practice, CTEPH patients often show obstructive ventilatory impairment, even in the absence of a smoking history. Recent reports imply a tendency for CTEPH patients to have a lower FEV1.0; however, the mechanism underlying obstructive impairment remains unknown.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed CTEPH patients who underwent a pulmonary function test and respiratory impedance test to evaluate their exertional dyspnea during admission for right heart catheterization from January 2000 to December 2019. We excluded patients with a smoking history to rule out the effect of smoking on obstructive impairment.Results: A total of 135 CTEPH patients were analyzed. The median FEV1.0/FVC was 76.0%, %FEV 1.0 had a negative correlation with the mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance and the CT Angiogram (CTA) obstruction score. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that the CTA obstruction score was an independent factor of a lower %FEV1.0. In the 54 patients who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy, %FEV1.0 was improved in some cases and was not in some. Mean PAP largely decreased after PEA in the better %FEV1.0 improved cases, suggesting that vascular involvement in CTEPH could be associated with spirometry obstructive impairment.Conclusion: %FEV1.0 had a significant correlation with the CTA obstruction score. Obstructive impairment might have an etiological relationship with vascular involvement. Further investigations could shed new light on the etiology of CTEPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Lung function impairment is common in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) survivors. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in children who underwent CDH surgical repair, mid and long-term consequences on respiratory impedance, investigating the impact of CDH on both resistance and reactance parameters, as well as bronchodilator response. Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT) parameters were collected from 12 patients (2–11 years). Resistance and reactance values at 8 Hz (Rrs8, Xrs8) and the area under the reactance curve (AX) were measured pre and post-salbutamol. Quantitative variables were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Differences of categorical variables were evaluated using Fisher exact test. Statistically significant differences between measured and predicted values for Rrs8 (p = 0.04), Xrs8 (p = 0.02) and AX (p = 0.01) were found. When stratifying for age, significant difference between measured and predicted values was observed only in children

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of impedance parameters to detect airflow obstruction and the severity of airflow obstruction in adults. METHODS: The spirometry parameters (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV1/FVC, FVC3/FVC, and FEF25-75) and respiratory impedance parameters (R5, R19, R5-19, and X5) measured by forced oscillation technique of consecutive 299 adults (male: 186) were included in the present analysis. The Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to assess the correlations of impedance parameters with spirometry indices. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess respiratory impedance parameters' diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 54.1 ± 12.3 years, and 99 individuals (33%) had airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.70) in spirometry. All spirometry indices (% of predicted) showed a weak negative correlation with R5, R19, R5-19, and weak positive correlation with X5. The R5 >142% predicted and X5 >136% predicted had the maximum AUC (0.75) with a sensitivity of up to 56% and specificity up to 86% to identify airflow obstruction. The impedance parameters showed low concordance with the severity of airflow obstruction. CONCLUSION: Respiratory impedance parameters had insufficient sensitivity to diagnose airflow obstruction and the severity of obstruction in adults. Thus, impedance parameters cannot a substitute for spirometry in diagnosing obstructive lung function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring airway impedance has significant clinical value in accurately assessing and diagnosing pulmonary function diseases at an early stage. To address the issue of large oscillator size and high power consumption in current pulmonary function devices, this study adopts a new strategy of expiration-driven oscillation. A lightweight and low-power airway impedance monitoring system with integrated sensing, control circuitry, and dynamic feedback system, providing visual feedback on the system's status, was developed. The respiratory impedance measurement experiments and statistical comparisons indicated that the system could achieve stable measurement of airway impedance at 5 Hz. The frequency spectrum curves of respiratory impedance ( R and X ) showed consistent trends with those obtained from the clinical pulmonary function instrument, specifically the impulse oscillometry system (IOS). The differences between them were all less than 1.1 cm H 2 O·s/L. Additionally, there was a significant statistical difference in the respiratory impedance R 5 between the exercise and rest groups, which suggests that the system can measure the variability of airway resistance parameters during exercise. Therefore, the impedance monitoring system developed in this study supports subjects in performing handheld, continuous measurements of dynamic changes in airway impedance over an extended period of time. This research provides a foundation for further developing low-power, portable, and even wearable devices for dynamic monitoring of pulmonary function.

Yosuke Wada,1 Yoshiaki Kitaguchi,1 Masanori Yasuo,1 Fumika Ueno,1 Satoshi Kawakami,2 Kiyoyasu Fukushima,3 Keisaku Fujimoto,4 Masayuki Hanaoka1 1First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan; 2Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan; 3Department of Respiratory Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Genbaku Isahaya Hospital, Isahaya, Nagasaki, Japan; 4Departments of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Shinshu University School of Health Sciences, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan Introduction: This study was conducted in order to investigate the diversity of respiratory physiology, including the respiratory impedance and reversibility of airway obstruction, based on quantitative computed tomography (CT) in patients with COPD. Patients and methods: Medical records of 174 stable COPD patients were retrospectively reviewed to obtain the patients’ clinical data, including the pulmonary function and imaging data. According to the software-based quantification of the degree of emphysema and airway wall thickness, the patients were classified into the “normal by CT” phenotype, the airway-dominant phenotype, the emphysema-dominant phenotype, and the mixed phenotype. The pulmonary function, including the respiratory impedance evaluated by using the forced oscillation technique (FOT) and the reversibility of airway obstruction in response to inhaled short-acting β2-agonists, was then compared among the four phenotypes. Results: The respiratory system resistance at 5 and 20 Hz (R5 and R20) was significantly higher, and the respiratory system reactance at 5 Hz (X5) was significantly more negative in the airway-dominant and mixed phenotypes than in the other phenotypes. The within-breath changes of X5 (ΔX5) were significantly greater in the mixed phenotype than in the “normal by CT” and emphysema-dominant phenotypes. The FOT parameters (R5, R20, and X5) were significantly correlated with indices of the degree of airway wall thickness and significantly but weakly correlated with the reversibility of airway obstruction. There was no significant correlation between the FOT parameters (R5, R20, and X5) and the degree of emphysema. Conclusion: There is a diversity of respiratory physiology, including the respiratory impedance and reversibility of airway obstruction, based on quantitative CT in patients with COPD. The FOT measurements may reflect the degree of airway disease and aid in detecting airway remodeling in patients with COPD. Keywords: FOT, respiratory impedance, MostGraph, AWT-Pi10

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain: (i) if elderly patients with fixed airflow obstruction (FAO) due to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have distinct airway morphologic and physiologic changes; (ii) the correlation between the morphology of proximal/peripheral airways and respiratory impedance. METHODS: Twenty-five asthma cases with FAO and 22 COPD patients were enrolled. High-resolution computed tomography was used to measure the wall area (WA) and lumen area (LA) of the proximal airway at the apical segmental bronchus of the right upper lobe (RB1) adjusted by body surface area (BSA) and bronchial wall thickening (BWTr) of the peripheral airways and extent of expiratory air trapping (ATexp). Respiratory impedance included resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20) and resonant frequency (Fres). Total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV) were measured. RESULTS: Asthma patients had smaller RB1-LA/BSA than COPD patients (10.5 ± 3.4 vs. 13.3 ± 5.0 mm2/m2, P = 0.037). R5 (5.5 ± 2.0 vs. 3.4 ± 1.0 cmH2O/L/s, P = 0.02) and R20(4.2 ± 1.7 vs. 2.6 ± 0.7 cmH2O/L/s, P = 0.001) were higher in asthma cases. ATexp and BWTr were similar in both groups. Regression analysis in asthma showed that forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and Fres were associated with RB1-WA/BSA (R2 = 0.34, P = 0.005) and BWTr (0.5, 0.012), whereas RV/TLC was associated with ATexp (0.38, 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma patients with FAO had a smaller LA and higher resistance of the proximal airways than COPD patients. FEV1 and respiratory impedance correlated with airway morphology.

Background: Fractional-order (FrOr) models have a high potential to improve pulmonary science. These models could be useful for biomechanical studies and diagnostic purposes, offering accurate models with an improved ability to describe nature. This paper evaluates the performance of the Forced Oscillation (FO) associated with integer (InOr) and FrOr models in the analysis of respiratory alterations in work-related asthma (WRA).Methods: Sixty-two individuals were evaluated: 31 healthy and 31 with WRA with mild obstruction. Patients were analyzed pre- and post-bronchodilation. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). To evaluate how well do the studied models correspond to observed data, we analyzed the mean square root of the sum (MSEt) and the relative distance (Rd) of the estimated model values to the measured resistance and reactance measured values.Results and Discussion: Initially, the use of InOr and FrOr models increased our understanding of the WRA physiopathology, showing increased peripheral resistance, damping, and hysteresivity. The FrOr model (AUC = 0.970) outperformed standard FO (AUC = 0.929), as well as InOr modeling (AUC = 0.838) in the diagnosis of respiratory changes, achieving high accuracy. FrOr improved the curve fitting (MSEt = 0.156 ± 0.340; Rd = 3.026 ± 1.072) in comparison with the InOr model (MSEt = 0.367 ± 0.991; Rd = 3.363 ± 1.098). Finally, we demonstrated that bronchodilator use increased dynamic compliance, as well as reduced damping and peripheral resistance.Conclusions: Taken together, these results show clear evidence of the utility of FO associated with fractional-order modeling in patients with WRA, improving our knowledge of the biomechanical abnormalities and the diagnostic accuracy in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop regression equations of within and whole-breath respiratory impedance for Indian children aged 5 to 17 y.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in 5 to 17 y old school children of Bhopal, India. Healthy children were identified by physical examination and by administering questionnaire. The respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) were measured at frequency of 5, 11, and 19 Hz by forced oscillation technique (FOT). The regression equations of within and whole-breath Rrs and Xrs were developed separately for boys and girls by multiple linear regression models.Results: Total 336 children were recruited and data of 320 healthy children (boys - 159), standing height of 146.1 ± 16.6 cm and body mass index of 17.2 ± 2.9 kg/m2 were included in the analysis. The mean respiratory system resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and respiratory system reactance at 5 Hz (X5) of the children, irrespective of gender were 5.46 ± 2.10 cmH2O/L/s and - 1.43 ± 0.85 cmH2O/L/s respectively. Boys of age 16 y and older had significantly smaller Rrs as compared to girls of corresponding age (p < 0.05). The standing height of children had the highest predictive power, followed by age in the regression model. With an increase in standing height, the magnitude of both Rrs and Xrs values of children decrease. The bodyweight of children had a negligible contribution to the regression models.Conclusions: The regression equations of within- and whole-breath Rrs and Xrs of Indian children aged 5 to 17 y are presented for the first time. The R5 values of Indian children were comparable to children of other ethnicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to analyze the Constant Phase Model (CPM) Coefficient of Determination (COD) and an index of harmonic distortion ( k d ) behavior in intravenous methacholine dose response curve. We studied the COD and k d behavior of Control and Lung Inflammation (OVA) groups of mice and we proposed an alternative for moments when the CPM should not be applied. Methods: 9-week female BALB/c mice were studied, 8 of the control group (23.11 ± 1.27 g) and 11 of the lung inflammation group (OVA) (21.45 ± 2.16 g). The COD values were obtained during the respiratory mechanics assessment via Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT) and the k d was estimated a posteriori. Both control and OVA groups were submitted to 4 doses of Methacholine (MCh) protocol. Results: A strong correlation between COD and k d was present at the last two doses (0.3 mg/kg: r = −0.75, p = 0.0013 and 1 mg/kg: r = −0.91; p < 0.0001) in the OVA group. Differences were found in doses of 0.3 mg/kg between control and OVA for the maximum values of Rn (Newtonian Resistance) and G (tissue viscous); and between groups at PBS and doses of 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg for H (Elastance). A similar behavior was observed for the analysis of Area Under the Curve with the exclusion of the 3 first measurements of each dose. However, in this scenario, the comparison with the maximum value presented a higher discriminatory capacity of the parameters associated with the parenchyma. Conclusions: During severe bronchoconstriction there is a strong negative correlation between model goodness of fit and nonlinearities levels, reinforcing that COD is a robust acceptance criterion, whether still simple and easily obtained from the ventilator. We also pointed out the area under the CPM parameters dose response curve is a useful and can be used as a complementary analysis to peak comparison following bolus injections of methacholine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a technique to measure the mechanical properties of the lung. The present study was aimed to develop regression equations of within- and whole-breath respiratory impedance (Zrs) of healthy Indian adults. Methods: Total 323 adults were sequentially screened. Smokers, individuals with respiratory symptoms or diseases, and unable to perform acceptable FOT were excluded. Within- and whole-breath resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) were measured at 5, 11, and 19 Hz by Resmon Pro® Full device. The regression equations of within- and whole-breath Rrs and Xrs were generated separately for men and women by multiple linear regression models. Results: The FOT data of 253 individuals (122 men) aged 18–81 years were included in the analysis. The magnitudes of whole-breath Rrs at 5 Hz (4.53 ± 1.05 cmH2O/L/s in women vs. 3.26 ± 1.05 cmH2O/L/s in men; P = 0.000) and whole-breath Xrs at 5 Hz (−1.23 ± 0.66 cmH2O/L/s in women vs. −1.00 ± 0.54 cmH2O/L/s in men; P = 0.003) of women were significantly of higher magnitude as compared to men. The standing height was the best determinant of Zrs, followed by body weight; the effect of age was negligible and was observed in men only. The magnitudes of both Rrs and Xrs decrease with an increase in standing height of both men and women. Conclusions: The present study provides regression equations of within- and whole-breath respiratory impedance of Indian adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porojan-Suppini N, Fira-Mladinescu O, Marc M, Tudorache E, Oancea C. Ther Clin Risk Manag.2020;16:1139–1150. On page 1146, Other Diseases – Graft Function, Lung Transplant, Sickle-Cell Disease section, “A recent Chinese study, performed on 156 lung-transplanted patients, shows that Oscillometry identified physiological changes associated with grade 2 acute cell rejection that were not observed on spirometry and it’s usefor graft monitoring after a lung transplant.100” should read “A recent study, performed on 156 lung-transplanted patients, shows that Oscillometry identified physiological changes associated with grade 2 acute cell rejection that were not observed on spirometry and it’s use for graft monitoring after a lung transplant.100” The authors apologize for this error. Read the original article

Objectives: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are representative respiratory diseases characterized by obstructive ventilatory impairment. Asthma–COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) has recently attracted attention. This study aimed to analyze the pathology of obstructive ventilatory impairment by assessment of respiratory function and impedance in smokers with fixed airflow obstruction, regardless of the disease entity. Methods: Thirty-eight elderly patients with a minimum of a 10 pack-year smoking history and fixed airflow obstruction with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) of

Sleep posture has been used as a sleep assessment indicator in home health monitoring and clinical monitoring in recent years. Considering comfort and usability, unobtrusive sleep posture detection is needed. In this paper, we proposed a novel sleep respiration-derived posture (RDP) method based on left and right lung respiration impedance signals. We developed a dual-channel respiratory impedance acquisition system with wireless transmission. Then, support vector machine using radial basis function kernel was applied to recognize four typical sleep postures. Moreover, the performance of the SVM classifier was improved by using backward elimination. In-situ experiments with 16 subjects indicated that the RDP method reached an accuracy of 99.67%. Thus, our method is reliable in sleep posture recognition. Furthermore, a whole-night monitoring system based on respiration impedance can be conducted for sleep quality assessment.

This paper introduces the use of low frequencies forced oscillation technique (FOT) in the presence of breathing signal. The hypothesis tested is to evaluate the sensitivity of FOT to various degrees of obstruction in COPD patients. The measurements were performed in the frequency range 0–2 Hz. The use of FOT to evaluate respiratory impedance has been broadly recognized and its complementary use next to standardized method as spirometry and body plethysmography has been well-documented. Typical use of FOT uses frequencies between 4–32 Hz and above. However, interesting information at frequencies below 4 Hz is related to viscoelastic properties of parenchyma. Structural changes in COPD affect viscoelastic properties and we propose to investigate the use of FOT at low frequencies with a fourth generation fan-based FOT device. The generator non-linearity introduced by the device is separated from the linear approximation of the impedance before evaluating the results on patients. Three groups of COPD obstruction, GOLD II, III, and IV are evaluated. We found significant differences in mechanical parameters (tissue damping, tissue elasticity, hysteresivity) and increased degrees of non-linear dynamic contributions in the impedance data with increasing degree of obstruction (p < 0.01). The results obtained suggest that the non-linear index correlates better with degrees of heterogeneity linked to COPD GOLD stages, than the currently used hysteresivity index. The protocol and method may prove useful to improve current diagnosis percentages for various COPD phenotypes.

Background: Evaluating oscillometry parameters separately for the inspiratory and expiratory breath phases and their within-breath differences can help to identify exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in pediatric outpatients disclosing exercise-induced symptoms (EIS)., Aims: To assess the response in impedance parameters following an exercise challenge in patients reporting EIS., Methods: Sixty-eight patients reporting EIS (34 asthmatics and 34 suspected of asthma, age mean = 10.8 years, range = 6.0-16.0) underwent an incremental treadmill exercise test. Spirometry was performed at baseline and 1, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-min post exercise. Oscillometry was performed at baseline and at 3- and 18-min post exercise. Bronchodilator response to 200 µg albuterol was then assessed. EIB was defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) fall ≥10% from baseline. Expiratory and inspiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs), their z -score (Ducharme et al. 2022), and their mean within-breath differences (ΔRrs = Rrs exp -Rrs insp , ΔXrs =   Xrs exp -Xrs insp ) were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and their areas (AUCs) were used to evaluate impedance parameters' performances in classifying EIB., Results: Asthmatic patients developed EIB more frequently than those suspected of asthma [18/34 (52.9%) vs. 2/34 (5.9%), p  < 0.001]. In the 20 subjects with EIB, Rrs insp , Rrs exp , Xrs insp , and Xrs exp peaked early (3'), and remained steady except for Xrs insp, which recovered faster afterward. ΔXrs widened 18 min following the exercise and reversed sharply after bronchodilation (BD) (-1.81 ± 1.60 vs. -0.52 ± 0.80 cmH 2 O × s/L, p  < 0.001). Cutoffs for EIB leading to the highest AUCs were a rise of 0.41 in z -score Rrs insp (Se: 90.0%, Sp: 66.7%), and a fall of -0.64 in z -score Xrs insp (Se: 90.0%, Sp: 75.0%). Accepting as having "positive" postexercise oscillometry changes those subjects who had both z -scores beyond respective cutoffs, sensitivity for EIB was 90.0% (18/20) and specificity, 83.3% (40/48)., Conclusion: Oscillometry parameters and their within-breath differences changed markedly in pediatric patients presenting EIB and were restored after the bronchodilator. Strong agreement between z -scores of inspiratory oscillometry parameters and spirometry supports their clinical utility, though larger studies are required to validate these findings in a broader population., Competing Interests: PP is member of the board of directors of RESTECH srl, which manufactures devices for the measurement of lung function based on oscillometry. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Barreto, Veneroni, Caiulo, Evangelisti, Pompilio, Mazzuca, Raponi, Pagani and Parisi.)

This paper introduces the use of low frequencies forced oscillation technique (FOT) in the presence of breathing signal. The hypothesis tested is to evaluate the sensitivity of FOT to various degrees of obstruction in COPD patients. The measurements were performed in the frequency range 0–2 Hz. The use of FOT to evaluate respiratory impedance has been broadly recognized and its complementary use next to standardized method as spirometry and body plethysmography has been well-documented. Typical use of FOT uses frequencies between 4–32 Hz and above. However, interesting information at frequencies below 4 Hz is related to viscoelastic properties of parenchyma. Structural changes in COPD affect viscoelastic properties and we propose to investigate the use of FOT at low frequencies with a fourth generation fan-based FOT device. The generator non-linearity introduced by the device is separated from the linear approximation of the impedance before evaluating the results on patients. Three groups of COPD obstruction, GOLD II, III, and IV are evaluated. We found significant differences in mechanical parameters (tissue damping, tissue elasticity, hysteresivity) and increased degrees of non-linear dynamic contributions in the impedance data with increasing degree of obstruction (p < 0.01). The results obtained suggest that the non-linear index correlates better with degrees of heterogeneity linked to COPD GOLD stages, than the currently used hysteresivity index. The protocol and method may prove useful to improve current diagnosis percentages for various COPD phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Recent work has suggested that within-breath respiratory impedance measurements performed using the forced oscillation technique may help to noninvasively evaluate respiratory mechanics. We investigated the influence of airway obstruction on the within-breath forced oscillation technique in smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and evaluated the contribution of this analysis to the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: Twenty healthy individuals and 20 smokers were assessed. The study also included 74 patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We evaluated the mean respiratory impedance (Zm) as well as values for the inspiration (Zi) and expiration cycles (Ze) at the beginning of inspiration (Zbi) and expiration (Zbe), respectively. The peak-to-peak impedance (Zpp=Zbe-Zbi) and the respiratory cycle dependence (ΔZrs=Ze-Zi) were also analyzed. The diagnostic utility was evaluated by investigating the sensitivity, the specificity and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01888705. RESULTS: Airway obstruction increased the within-breath respiratory impedance parameters that were significantly correlated with the spirometric indices of airway obstruction (R=−0.65, p90%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude the following: (1) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease introduces higher respiratory cycle dependence, (2) this increase is proportional to airway obstruction, and (3) the within-breath forced oscillation technique may provide novel parameters that facilitate the diagnosis of respiratory abnormalities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain: (i) if elderly patients with fixed airflow obstruction (FAO) due to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have distinct airway morphologic and physiologic changes; (ii) the correlation between the morphology of proximal/peripheral airways and respiratory impedance. METHODS: Twenty-five asthma cases with FAO and 22 COPD patients were enrolled. High-resolution computed tomography was used to measure the wall area (WA) and lumen area (LA) of the proximal airway at the apical segmental bronchus of the right upper lobe (RB1) adjusted by body surface area (BSA) and bronchial wall thickening (BWTr) of the peripheral airways and extent of expiratory air trapping (ATexp). Respiratory impedance included resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20) and resonant frequency (Fres). Total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV) were measured. RESULTS: Asthma patients had smaller RB1-LA/BSA than COPD patients (10.5 ± 3.4 vs. 13.3 ± 5.0 mm2/m2, P = 0.037). R5 (5.5 ± 2.0 vs. 3.4 ± 1.0 cmH2O/L/s, P = 0.02) and R20(4.2 ± 1.7 vs. 2.6 ± 0.7 cmH2O/L/s, P = 0.001) were higher in asthma cases. ATexp and BWTr were similar in both groups. Regression analysis in asthma showed that forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and Fres were associated with RB1-WA/BSA (R2 = 0.34, P = 0.005) and BWTr (0.5, 0.012), whereas RV/TLC was associated with ATexp (0.38, 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma patients with FAO had a smaller LA and higher resistance of the proximal airways than COPD patients. FEV1 and respiratory impedance correlated with airway morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a particularly useful test of the mechanical properties of the respiratory system that has an increasingly important role in lung function laboratories. There is general agreement in the literature that the determination of reference values is of utmost importance in the clinical use of the FOT. Objective: Our aim was to present reference values for whole‐breath FOT measurements, establish which anthropometric variables were more predictive of impedance parameters, and provide all the details to adequately adopt these reference equations in individual laboratories. Methods: We prospectively evaluated a randomly selected non‐smoking sample of the adult Brazilian population (288 subjects, 144 males and 144 females aged 20‐86 years). The volunteers were separated by sex and divided into six groups based on decade of age. Sex‐specific linear prediction equations were developed by multiple regression analysis using age, body mass and height as explanatory variables. Results: Age introduced a slight, but significant, reduction of resistance in men (P < .001) and women (P < .001). In general, significantly higher values of resistance were observed in females (P < .0001). Among the anthropometric variables analyzed, height was the best predictor for all parameters studied. Conclusion: This study provides an original frame of reference for the FOT in Brazilian males and females aged 20‐86 years. Height was the best predictor of respiratory impedance parameters. Details contributing to an adequate adoption of these reference equations elsewhere by transference and verification are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Background and objective: Selecting ‘healthy’ preschool‐aged children for reference ranges may not be straightforward. Relaxing inclusion criteria for normative data does not affect spirometry z‐scores. We therefore investigated the effect of similarly relaxing inclusion criteria in preschoolers on reference ranges for respiratory impedance (Zrs) using a modified forced oscillation technique (FOT). Methods: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire classified 585 children into a healthy and five mutually exclusive groups. Zrs was measured between 4 and 26 Hz and resistance (R) and compliance (C) obtained by model fitting. Prediction models were determined using mixed effect models and z‐scores compared between healthy children and the five groups. Results: Zrs data were obtained for 494 participants (4.30 ± 0.7 years) on 587 occasions. Comparison of the Zrs z‐scores between the healthy children and the health groups found significant differences in children with asthma, current wheeze and respiratory symptoms, but not in children born preterm or with early‐life wheeze. Adding these two groups to the healthy dataset had no significant effect on the distribution of z‐scores and increased the size of the dataset by 22.3%. Conclusion: Our data suggest that preschool‐aged children born preterm or with early‐life wheeze can be included in FOT reference equations, while those with asthma, current wheeze and respiratory symptoms within 4 weeks of testing should be excluded. This more inclusive approach results in more robust FOT reference ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Respiratory impedance comprises the resistance and reactance of the respiratory system and can provide detailed information on respiratory function. However, details of the relationship between impedance and morphological airway changes in asthma are unknown. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the correlation between imaging‐based airway changes and respiratory impedance in patients with asthma. Methods: Respiratory impedance and spirometric data were evaluated in 72 patients with asthma and 29 reference subjects. We measured the intraluminal area (Ai) and wall thickness (WT) of third‐ to sixth‐generation bronchi using three‐dimensional computed tomographic analyses, and values were adjusted by body surface area (BSA, Ai/BSA, and WT/the square root (√) of BSA). Results: Asthma patients had significantly increased respiratory impedance, decreased Ai/BSA, and increased WT/√BSA, as was the case in those without airflow limitation as assessed by spirometry. Ai/BSA was inversely correlated with respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20). R20 had a stronger correlation with Ai/BSA than did R5. Ai/BSA was positively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio, percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and percentage predicted mid‐expiratory flow. WT/√BSA had no significant correlation with spirometry or respiratory impedance. Conclusions & Clinical Relevance: Respiratory resistance is associated with airway narrowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breathing is a complex rhythmic motor act, which is created by integrating different inputs to the respiratory centres. Analysing nonlinear fluctuations in breathing may provide clinically relevant information in patients with complex illnesses, such as asbestosis. We evaluated the effect of exposition to asbestos on the complexity of the respiratory system by investigating the respiratory impedance sample entropy (SampEnZrs) and recurrence period density entropy (RPDEnZrs). Similar analyses were performed by evaluating the airflow pattern sample entropy (SampEnV’) and recurrence period density entropy (RPDEnV’). Groups of 34 controls and 34 asbestos-exposed patients were evaluated in the respiratory impedance entropy analysis, while groups of 34 controls and 30 asbestos-exposed patients were investigated in the analysis of airflow entropy. Asbestos exposition introduced a significant reduction of RPDEnV’ in non-smoker patients (p < 0.0004), which suggests that the airflow pattern becomes less complex in these patients. Smoker patients also presented a reduction in RPDEnV’ (p < 0.05). These finding are consistent with the reduction in respiratory system adaptability to daily life activities observed in these patients. It was observed a significant reduction in SampEnV’ in smoker patients in comparison with non-smokers (p < 0.02). Diagnostic accuracy evaluations in the whole group of patients (including non-smokers and smokers) indicated that RPDEnV’ might be useful in the diagnosis of respiratory abnormalities in asbestos-exposed patients, showing an accuracy of 72.0%. In specific groups of non-smokers, RPDEnV’ also presented adequate accuracy (79.0%), while in smoker patients, SampEnV’ and RPDEnV’ presented adequate accuracy (70.7% and 70.2%, respectively). Taken together, these results suggest that entropy analysis may provide an early and sensitive functional indicator of interstitial asbestosis.