Protocol - Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)
- Personal and Family History of Respiratory Symptoms/Diseases - Adult
- Personal and Family History of Respiratory Symptoms/Diseases - Child
- Spirometry - Adult
- Spirometry - Child
Description
A patient is instructed to inhale deeply and blow into a peak expiratory flow monitor three times. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) can be measured as part of spirometry testing (see Spirometry measure) or as a separate measurement. The highest PEFR value is typically used for analysis.
Specific Instructions
A minimum of three acceptable blows is necessary. The maneuver can be performed in either the sitting or standing position, but one of these options should be used in a standardized manner within a particular study.
Availability
Protocol
Test Procedure
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is dependent on effort and lung volume, with subject cooperation being essential. PEFR must be achieved as rapidly as possible and at as high a lung volume as possible, in order to obtain the maximum value. The subject must be encouraged to blow as vigorously as possible. The neck should be in a neutral position, not flexed or extended, and the subject must not cough. A nose clip is not necessary.
After the point of full lung inflation, the subject must deliver the blow without any delay. Hesitating for as little as 2s [seconds] or flexing the neck allows the tracheal visco-elastic properties to relax and PEFR to drop by as much as 10%. Tonguing, spitting or coughing at the start of the blow may falsely raise the recorded PEFR in some devices.
The subject must perform a minimum of three PEFR maneuvers. When PEFR is a self-administered recording used to monitor disease status, it is important that the subject has been adequately taught how to perform the test, when to perform it, and what action to take depending on the resulting value obtained.
Within-maneuver evaluation
The subject must be observed to ensure a good seal at the mouth, no hesitation occurred, and there was no abnormal start to the maneuver.
Between-maneuver evaluation
The PEFR values and their order must be recorded so that maneuver-induced bronchospasm can be detected. If the largest two out of three acceptable blows are not reproducible within 0.67 L s-1 (40 L min-1), up to two additional blows can be performed. Ninety-five percent of untrained healthy subjects and patients can reproduce PEFR to within 0.67 L s-1 (40 L min-1), and ninety percent to within 0.5 L s-1 (30 L min-1). If satisfactory repeatability has not been achieved in five attempts, more are not likely to be helpful.
Test result selection
The largest value from at least three acceptable blows is recorded.
Personnel and Training Required
A technician who is trained on how to use a peak flow meter or spirometer is required.
Equipment Needs
Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) requires an instrument that meets American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) standards, which require a flat frequency response (+-5%) up to 15 Hz. PEFR can be measured using a spirometer; alternatively, simpler peak flow meters, which only measure PEFR, can be used.
Requirements
| Requirement Category | Required |
|---|---|
| Major equipment | No |
| Specialized training | Yes |
| Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
| Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | No |
Mode of Administration
Physical Measurement
Lifestage
Child, Adolescent, Adult, Senior
Participants
Adults and children age 6 and older
Selection Rationale
This is a simple method of measuring airway obstruction, and it will detect moderate or severe disease. The simplicity of the method is its main advantage.
Language
Chinese, English
Standards
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) | Resp peak expiratory flow rate proto | 62623-4 | LOINC |
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Reduced maximal expiratory pressure | HP:0012497 | HPO |
| caDSR Form | PhenX PX090801 - Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Pefr | 5969406 | caDSR Form |
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
Expert Review Panel #6 (ERP 6) reviewed the measures in the Respiratory domain.
Guidance from ERP 6 includes:
• No significant changes to measure
Back-compatible: no changes to Data Dictionary
Protocol Name from Source
Miller, M. R., et al, Standardization of spirometry. Series “ATS/ERS task force: Standardization of lung function testing.”, EUR RESPIR J, 2005
Source
Miller, M. R., Hankinson, J., Brusasco, V., Burgos, F., Casaburi, R., Coates, A., ... Wanger, J. (2005). Standardisation of spirometry. Series “ATS/ERS task force: Standardisation of lung function testing.” European Respiratory Journal, 26(2), 330-331.
General References
Shirley, D. K., Kaner, R. J., & Glesby, M. J. (2015). Screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in an urban HIV clinic: A pilot study. AIDS Patient Care STDS, 29(5), 232-239.
Protocol ID
90801
Variables
Export Variables| Variable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PX090801_Max_Expiratory_Flow_Rate | ||||
| PX090801040000 | Maximum Peak Expiratory Flow Rate | Variable Mapping | ||
| PX090801_Max_Expiratory_Flow_Rate_Units | ||||
| PX090801040100 | Maximum Peak Expiratory Flow Rate units | N/A | ||
| PX090801_Peak_Expiratory_Flow_Rate1 | ||||
| PX090801010000 | Peak Expiratory Flow Rate 1 | Variable Mapping | ||
| PX090801_Peak_Expiratory_Flow_Rate1_Units | ||||
| PX090801010100 | Peak Expiratory Flow Rate 1 units | N/A | ||
| PX090801_Peak_Expiratory_Flow_Rate2 | ||||
| PX090801020000 | Peak Expiratory Flow Rate 2 | Variable Mapping | ||
| PX090801_Peak_Expiratory_Flow_Rate2_Units | ||||
| PX090801020100 | Peak Expiratory Flow Rate 2 units | N/A | ||
| PX090801_Peak_Expiratory_Flow_Rate3 | ||||
| PX090801030000 | Peak Expiratory Flow Rate 3 | Variable Mapping | ||
| PX090801_Peak_Expiratory_Flow_Rate3_Units | ||||
| PX090801030100 | Peak Expiratory Flow Rate 3 units | N/A | ||
Measure Name
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)
Release Date
January 29, 2010
Definition
The peak expiratory flow rate measures airflow (maximum speed of expiration) and the presence and degree of obstruction in the airways.
Purpose
This test is commonly used to diagnose and monitor lung diseases such as asthma; less commonly, it is used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Keywords
Respiratory, PEFR, spirometry, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, asthma
Measure Protocols
| Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
|---|---|
| 90801 | Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) |
Publications
There are no publications listed for this protocol.