ASSESSMENT OF ACCURACY AND APPLICABILITY OF A NEW ELECTRONIC PEAK FLOW METER AND ASTHMA MONITOR

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and applicability of a portable electronic peak flow meter combined with an asthma monitor (AM1, Jaeger, Germany) which measures peak expiratory flow (PEF), forc ed expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (F VC). The technical accuracy in PEF, FEV1 and FVC measurement was teste d according to American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria for monitoring devices using a flow generator. In addition, the effect of connecting a heated screen pneumotachograph (PT) to the AMI was determined and t he accuracy in FEV1 determinations was evaluated by simultaneous measu rements in 49 normal volunteers. The devices tested fulfilled all ATS criteria for monitoring devices with respect to the accuracy of PEF, F EV1, and FVC measurements. The conditions of intra- and interdevice va riability were satisfied in all cases. Compared with the PT, the AM1 s howed about 4% lower values in FEV1, as measured in the 49 subjects. I n conclusion, the electronic peak flow meter and asthma monitor AM1 yi elded valid measurements of peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume in one second, which matched the accuracy criteria of the Amer ican Thoracic Society standards for monitoring devices.