![]() However, one study suggested it could be used to rule out severe to very severe COPD, which may be useful if access to spirometry is limited. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurement cannot usually be reliably used as the only diagnostic test for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of its weak specificity. Educating the patient in recognition of symptoms which indicate deterioration is nearly as effective. For patients with stable asthma whose symptoms correlate well with peak flow, a peak flow monitor is adequate. Home monitors which provide FEV1 readings are available and give a more accurate assessment of lung function. There is only low-to-moderate evidence that peak flow readings are related to symptoms. ![]() There has been much debate in recent years as to whether routine self-monitoring of peak flow for patients with asthma improves management. However, it still has a part to play if diagnostic uncertainty remains after these tests have been completed. It is less used these days for the initial diagnosis of asthma, clinicians being encouraged to use more accurate measurements of lung function such as spirometry and the fractional exhaled nitrous oxide (FeNO) test. Peak flow readings improve if narrowed airways open up with treatment.īelow is an example of a two-week diary of peak flow readings done by a child who has quite bad asthma.Peak flow monitoring is recommended for the ongoing management of asthma and during exacerbations. Measuring your peak flow readings can help assess how well treatment is working. If the treatment causes a large improvement in your reading, this too is typical of asthma. Sometimes a peak flow reading is done before and after you take a dose of asthma medicine to open up your airways. This information can be used to inform your asthma action plan and help doctors make decisions to alleviate asthma symptoms or prevent asthma attacks. You will normally be asked to take a 'best of three' peak flow reading each morning and evening. Sometimes a doctor or nurse will give you a chart (like the one below), and ask you to keep a record of your peak flow readings for a week or so. This difference is much greater in people with untreated asthma than the normal small variation seen in most people. Typically, the readings are lower in the morning compared with the evening.
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