Peak Flow Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Peak Flow - Essay Example A spirometer is the equipment used in the measurement of peak flow. This apparatus measure the amount of air, which is taken in during inspiration phase and expired out over a specified time. Along with the amount, it also keeps a record of the speed, which is then converted to rate of air inspired and expired (Spirometer 2006) (Pederson 1996). Stating more scientifically, it measures lung functions specifically the measurement of the amount (volume) and /or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. Spirometry is the process of measuring pulmonary function tests (PFTs) (Spirometry 2006). The process is an important monitoring tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of pulmonary obstructive diseases. Results are, usually, given as the percentages of predicted values for the patients of similar physiological characteristics. The results approaching 100 % predicted are the most normal but those individuals who show over 80% may be considered normal. The review by a medical doctor, further, validates the results (Spirometry 2006). ... All of the students present in the class (27) were involved in the process of data collection as subjects. To get more reliable calculations, the procedure of spriometry, has to be repeated three times per individual so every student went through the process thrice, each time followed by measurement of her/his height. For record of the reading and analytical purposes the highest value among all three is taken. To compare and reduce the possibility of error, two independent reviewers coordinated the experiment. We analysed these data at three different levels. Spirometry by the two reviewers was separated by various activities, like various phases forceful expiration, measurement of height etc. So we compared the highest readings from the two reviewers by applying paired t-test (Rosner 1995) (Saunder 1994). We divided the peak flow values in two categories, category 1 for lowest level to 540 and category to from 541 to the highest level. Then we looked for the association of the sex (1=female and 2=male) for the categories of the peak flow values. We applied chi-square test at this level(Rosner 1995) (Saunder 1994). As the two reviewers took part in the procedure as independent assessors so we analysed the level of agreement between the two reviewers by using Kappa statistics (Rosner 1995) (Saunder 1994). To fulfil the requirement of both variables to be categorical we managed the datasets to change the peak flow from continuous variable to the categorical variable. Results Table 1 shows the results of paired t-test performed to compare the mean values of two measurements of peak expiratory flow measured at two different time period with some activities performed in between. There was no difference found in the two values