Abstract
BackgroundA new digital peak flow meter, known as Smart Peak Flow (SPF), has been developed to monitor asthma patients’ peak expiratory flow (PEF) at home. It is connected wirelessly to any type of smartphone and it is used by asthma patients to self-monitor progress of their clinical condition. Thus evaluation of the SPF’s ability to provide accurate PEF values is essential. The aim of this pilot work was to provide preliminary in-vivo data about the measurement agreement between the SPF and a lab spirometer for a first time.MethodsPEF measurements were obtained by 9 healthy adults as this pilot work was terminated earlier than it was expected due to COVID-19 restrictions. PEF readings (n=27) were recorded by the comparable devices at the same time during three different expiratory maneuvers performed by each participant. The Bland and Altman plot was used to assess the agreement.ResultsGood agreement between the SPF and the lab spirometer was found with the mean bias being estimated 0.29 L/min. The lower and upper limits of agreement (LOA) were estimated 30.03 L/min and −30.61 L/min respectively.ConclusionDue to a small sample size, no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the SPF’s accuracy. However the current promising results encourage further testing in the future.
Highlights
International guidelines for asthma self-management suggest the use of peak flow meters for monitoring lung function at home.[1]
The use of peak flow meters is highly recommended to monitor asthma while standardised lung function tests, such as spirometry, can be of limited use in clinical settings due to COVID-19 restrictions.[3]
Official ATS/ERS statement on peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements recommends that a new peak flow meter should not exceed 20 L/min when compared to a current goldstandard monitoring method.[4]
Summary
International guidelines for asthma self-management suggest the use of peak flow meters for monitoring lung function at home.[1]. A new digital peak flow (Smart Peak Flow-SPF) connected wirelessly to any smartphone, has been developed and it has been found to increase patients’ adherence to self-monitor asthma progress.[8] This may be because it facilitates the measurement of PEF, and it monitors. A new digital peak flow meter, known as Smart Peak Flow (SPF), has been developed to monitor asthma patients’ peak expiratory flow (PEF) at home. Evaluation of the SPF’s ability to provide accurate PEF values is essential. The aim of this pilot work was to provide preliminary in-vivo data about the measurement agreement between the SPF and a lab spirometer for a first time
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