The relationship between respiratory system impedance and lung function in asthmatics: A prospective observational study

Abstract

Introduction: The aim was to elucidate the relationship between the annual changes in respiratory system impedance, measured by FOT, and lung function tests in patients with asthma.

Methods: Between March 2011 and March 2012, asthma outpatients who attended Kobe City Medical Center West Hospital were recruited. Lung function tests, FOT were conducted every 6 months until March 2016. The relationships between annual parameter changes were evaluated.

Results and conclusion: Sixty-four patients were completed this study. The median follow-up period was 55 months. At enrollment, although resistance showed no relationship with forced expiratory volume in one second (%FEV₁), the reactance was moderately correlated with X5 (r=0.524, r²=0.275, <0.001), Fres (r=-0.498, r²=0.248, <0.001) and ALX (r=-0.416, r²=0.173, p=<0.001). By contrast, the annual resistance change at 5Hz (R5) was highly and significantly associated with%FEV₁ change (r=-0.564, r²=0.318, p<0.001). Longitudinal changes in airway resistance and reactance measured by FOT might be useful for the assessment of lung function in patients with asthma.

Keywords: Airway disease; Asthma; Forced oscillation technique; Lung function test; Respiratory system reactance; Respiratory system resistance.