Variations In The PEFR With Various Factors With Respect To Age, Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure And Heart Rate Among Males And Females Patients

Abstract

Introduction: PEFR is considered as the simplest index of pulmonary function. Ventilatory function tests like PEFR provide a better understanding of the changes in the lungs from a diagnostic viewpoint. It is effort dependent and reflects mainly the calibre of the bronchi and larger bronchioles, which are subjected to reflex bronchoconstriction. Objective: To study the variations in the PEFR with various factors with respect to age, body mass index, blood pressure and heart rate among males and females patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Department of Medicine, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, Gazipur, Bangladesh from January to December 2020 among young male and female subjects. The subjects with no history of cardio, availability & capacity to cooperate adequately, non- smokers; and no history of any drug intake which could affect the lung functioning were included in the study. PEFR was measured with the subject comfortably seated during the same time of the day for all subjects. It was determined in litres/minute with the help of “The Peak”, Individualised Peak flow meter from Multispiro Inc. Results: Out of the total subjects 121 subjects, 45.4% were ≤18 years followed by 19-20 (42.1%) and >20 (12.3%). There were 37.1% males and 62.8% females. PEFR was found to be significantly (p=0.0001) higher among males compared to females in all the age groups. PEFR increased with increasing age in both male and female subjects. PEFR was found to be significantly (p<0.0) higher among males compared to females in the entire body mass index (BMI) category. PEFR increased with increasing BMI in both male and female subjects. Conclusion: PEFR is higher among male than female subject. Also, PEFR was higher in males than females in all the age groups and BMI status. The effects of various factors like age, height, weight, BSA and BMI on the PEFR values have also been discussed in this study. PEFR increases with increase in age and BMI in both male and female subjects.