Resumen de Predicting the outcome of respiratory disease in wheezing infants using tidal flow-volume loop shape

E. Keklikian, Paul Cornes, Camilo José Cela Conde, M. Sánchez Solís, L. García Marcos, J. A. Castro Rodríguez

• Introduction and objectives Wheezing (RW) infants with a positive asthma predictive index (API+) have a lower lung function as measured by forced expiratory techniques. Tidal flow-volume loops (TFVL) are easy to perform in infants, and sedation is not necessary.

  Materials and methods A total of 216 wheezing infants were successfully measured, and 183 of them were followed for over a year. TFVL loops were classified into one of three categories depending of their geometric shape (symmetric, convex, and concave). Respiratory rate (Rr), presence of API+, and the number of exacerbations during the following year were also recorded.

  Results Children with concave loops had more exacerbations in the following year (OR = 6.8 [IC95% 3.33;13.91]). Infants API + were also significantly more related to concave loops (OR = 10.02 [IC 95% 4.53; 22.15]). Rr was higher in infants with concave loops (44+/−15.5 vs. 36.6 +/−12.6; p < 0.01).

  Conclusion Infants with a concave TFVL have a higher probability of experiencing exacerbations in the following year, and are at a higher risk of suffering asthma.