Evaluación de la medición de las resistencias pulmonares por técnica de interrupción

Introduction. Pulmonary function tests allow an objective assessment of the degree of bronchial obstruction in collaborative subjects. The measurement of airway resistance using passive methods is very helpful in non-collaborative subjects. The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of measuring airway resistance by the interrupter technique (Rint) in pediatric subjects, determining its reproducibility, reliability and accuracy versus other techniques to measure airway resistance. Material and Methods. Cross-sectional study in healthy children and in children with an obstructive airway disease, all aged 2-18 years old. The Rint was measured using a portable device and results were compared to airway resistance measured by oscillometry and plethysmography. The reproducibility of measurements and the influence of the different outcome measures (use of mask or mouthpiece, cheek support, or nose clip) were assessed. Results. Valid measurements were obtained in 82.6% of 460 children (47.6% younger than 7 years old). Reproducibility was very good (ICC= 0.9412; p