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ABSTRACT: Hypertension (HTN) is a common toxicity of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) antibody treatment. It may be a marker of VEGF signalling pathway inhibition and therefore represent a cancer biomarker in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with chemotherapy and bevacizumab.
A total of 101 consecutive patients with mCRC were treated with standard chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab at dose of 2.5 mg kg(-1) per week in a single centre. The median follow-up time of the patients alive was 64 months. Blood pressure was measured before each bevacizumab infusion, and HTN was graded according to common toxicity criteria for adverse events version 3.0.
Overall, 57 patients (56%) developed ≥grade 1 HTN (median blood pressure 168/97 mm Hg), whereas 44 (44%) remained normotensive when treated with bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy regimen. Overall response rate was higher among patients with HTN (30 vs 20%; P=0.025). Hypertension was associated with improved progression-free survival (10.5 vs 5.3 months; P=0.008) and overall survival (25.8 vs 11.7 months; P<0.001), and development of HTN within 3 months had an independent, prognostic influence in a multivariate landmark survival analysis together with other known mCRC prognostic factors (P=0.007). There was no association between HTN and development of thromboembolic complications.
Hypertension may predict outcome of bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy in mCRC. These data require confirmation in prospective studies including pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic analyses.
British Journal of Cancer 02/2011; 104(4):599-604. · 5.04 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the impact of maternal diet and intensive dietary counselling during pregnancy and breastfeeding on the infant's metabolic status.
At the first trimester of pregnancy, 256 women were randomized into a control/placebo group and two dietary counselling groups (diet/probiotics and diet/placebo). The counselling, with double-blind randomization to probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium lactis) or placebo, targeted excessive saturated fat and low fibre consumption. Maternal diet was evaluated repeatedly during pregnancy and postpartum by means of 3 days' food diaries. Metabolic markers, serum 32-33 split and intact proinsulin, leptin/adiponectin ratio, skinfold thickness and waist circumference were measured of 194 healthy infants at the age of 6 months, and the high levels were taken to mirror adverse metabolic status.
The proportion of infants with a high 32-33 split proinsulin was significantly lower in dietary counselling with probiotics (n = 6/62, 9.7%) or placebo (n = 7/69, 10.1%) compared with the control/placebo group (n = 17/63, 27.0%). The high split proinsulin was associated with larger skinfold thickness, waist circumference and higher leptin/adiponectin ratio in the infants (P < 0.05). With respect to maternal diet during pregnancy, the highest and lowest tertiles of fat intake increased the infant's risk of high split proinsulin, whereas those of butter associated correspondingly with the infant's waist circumference. Further, breastfed infants showed a reduced risk of high split proinsulin and leptin/adiponectin ratio compared with formula-fed infants.
Modification of maternal diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding may benefit infant metabolic health. High split proinsulin reflects adverse metabolic status in infancy, which can be improved by early dietary counselling.
European journal of clinical nutrition 01/2011; 65(1):10-9. · 3.07 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate whether removing lactose from milk delays bowel function in lactose-tolerant women. We also examined how well the participants' subjective evaluation of the stool consistency according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale correlated with values obtained by dry matter analysis and penetrometry.
A randomized double-blind cross-over trial. Thirty-three lactose-tolerant women consumed, in random order, 800 ml of lactose-free or ordinary milk per day for 2 weeks, with their main meal, but otherwise followed a lactose-free diet. The subjects estimated stool consistency according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale, registered stool frequency and gastrointestinal symptoms and collected stool samples.
The mean intake of lactose was 3.5 and 38.4 g/day during the lactose-free and the ordinary milk periods, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the lactose-free and the ordinary milk periods in stool frequency, gastrointestinal symptoms, stool hardness or faecal dry matter. Faecal pH was lower during the lactose-free milk period than in the ordinary milk period. The subjective estimation of stool hardness correlated well with the values obtained by dry matter analysis and penetrometry.
Lactose-free milk does not delay bowel function in lactose-tolerant women. The Bristol Stool Form Scale is a useful method of evaluating stool hardness.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 07/2008; 62(6):727-32. · 2.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Probiotics are widely studied both in the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases, but their mode of action is poorly known.
Our aim was to examine the effect of probiotic bacteria on in vivo cytokine, antibody, and inflammatory responses in allergy-prone infants.
In a randomized double-blind study, probiotic bacteria or placebo were given for 1 month before delivery to mothers and for 6 months to infants with a family history of allergy. Plasma samples were analysed for C-reactive protein (CRP), total IgA and IgE, food-specific IgA, IgG, and IgE, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. We analysed the associations of immunological and inflammatory parameters at age 6 months with probiotic treatment and allergic phenotype at 2 years.
Infants receiving probiotic bacteria had higher plasma levels of CRP (P=0.008), total IgA (P=0.016), total IgE (P=0.047), and IL-10 (P=0.002) than infants in the placebo group. Increased plasma CRP level at age 6 months was associated with a decreased risk of eczema [odds ratio (OR) 0.41 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.99], P=0.046], and with a decreased risk of allergic disease [OR 0.38 (95% CI 0.16-0.87), P=0.023] at age 2 years, when adjusted with probiotic use.
The association of CRP with a decreased risk of eczema at 2 years of age in allergy-prone children supports the view that chronic, low-grade inflammation protects from eczema. Probiotic-induced low-grade inflammation was characterized by elevation of IgE, IgA, and IL-10, the changes typically observed in helminth infection-associated induction of regulatory mechanisms. The findings emphasize the role of chronic microbial exposure as an immune modulator protecting from allergy.
Clinical & Experimental Allergy 05/2008; 38(4):611-8. · 5.03 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Overgrowth of oral yeast is a common problem among the elderly. Probiotic bacteria are known to inhibit the growth of pathogenic microbes. We tested the hypothesis that cheese containing probiotic bacteria can reduce the prevalence of oral Candida. During this 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 276 elderly people consumed daily 50 g of either probiotic (n = 136) or control cheese (n = 140). The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of a high salivary yeast count (>or= 10(4) cfu/mL) analyzed by the Dentocult method. The prevalence decreased in the probiotic group from 30% to 21% (32% reduction), and increased in the control group from 28% to 34%. Probiotic intervention reduced the risk of high yeast counts by 75% (OR = 0.25, 95%CI 0.10-0.65, p = 0.004), and the risk of hyposalivation by 56% (OR = 0.44, 95%CI 0.19-1.01, p = 0.05). Thus, probiotic bacteria can be effective in controlling oral Candida and hyposalivation in the elderly.
Journal of Dental Research 03/2007; 86(2):125-30. · 3.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the cholesterol-lowering effects of a low-fat cheese enriched with plant stanol esters in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects, as part of their normal diet.
A randomized double-blind parallel-group study.
Valio Ltd, Helsinki.
Sixty-seven mildly hypercholesterolaemic volunteers (24 men, 43 women) participated in the study, which all of them completed.
The subjects were randomly assigned to the plant stanol ester group or the control group. During the 5-week intervention, the subjects in the stanol group consumed a cheese enriched with 2 g of plant stanols per day, and the subjects in the control group, a control cheese with no plant stanols.
In the stanol ester group, as compared to the control group, both serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased significantly, that is, by 5.8% (-0.32 mmol/l, 95% CI -0.50 to -0.15 mmol/l, P < 0.001) and 10.3% (-0.36 mmol/l, 95% CI -0.53 to -0.18 mmol/l, P < 0.001), respectively. There were no significant changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides or apolipoprotein B concentrations between the groups.
Cheese enriched with 2 g of plant stanol in the form of fatty acid esters decreases serum total and LDL cholesterol significantly.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 11/2006; 60(11):1253-7. · 2.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Data regarding antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical Lactobacillus isolates are scarce, and appropriate interpretation criteria for susceptibility tests are not available.
We examined 85 cases of Lactobacillus bacteremia, of which 47 cases have been included in our previous studies. Overall, 14 antimicrobial agents were evaluated by the E-test method, and these results were compared with disk diffusion test findings. The clinical outcomes of the patients and their antimicrobial treatments were registered.
The antimicrobial susceptibility of Lactobacillus strains was species dependent. The considerable number of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (n=46), Lactobacillus fermentum (n=12), and Lactobacillus casei (n=12) strains available for testing made it possible to compare the susceptibilities within 1 species, as well. Of the 46 L. rhamnosus isolates, 22 were identified as L. rhamnosus GG type by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. All Lactobacillus isolates demonstrated low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, erythromycin, and clindamycin. MICs of vancomycin were high (>256 microg/mL) for all other species except Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus jensenii. Disk diffusion and E-test results were concordant. The MICs of cephalosporins varied; cefuroxime demonstrated a higher level of activity than did ceftriaxone. Benzylpenicillin and ampicillin MICs had variable ranges between different species. Combination therapy was given to 83% of the patients, but, in 54% of them, therapy included only 1 microbiologically active agent, according to results of the susceptibility tests. Mortality at 1 week was 12% among patients who presumably were receiving adequate treatment and 27% among patients who were receiving inadequate treatment (P=.131, by E-test).
Most clinical Lactobacillus blood isolates demonstrated low MICs of imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, erythromycin, and clindamycin, but they had variable susceptibility to penicillin and cephalosporins.
Clinical Infectious Diseases 03/2006; 42(5):e35-44. · 9.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder of unknown aetiology. The effect of probiotics in this syndrome remains unclear.
To investigate whether a probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus LC705, Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS is effective in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
A total of 103 patients fulfilling the Rome I or II criteria took part in this 6-month, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The patients received a probiotic capsule or a placebo capsule daily. Gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel habits were recorded.
At the end the total symptom score (abdominal pain + distension + flatulence + borborygmi) was 7.7 (95% CI: -13.9 to -1.6) points lower in the probiotic group (P = 0.015). This represents a median reduction of 42% in the symptom score of the probiotic group compared with 6% in the placebo group. In individual symptoms, borborygmi was milder in the probiotic group (P = 0.008), and for the rest of the symptoms there was a non-significant trend.
The results indicate that this probiotic mixture is effective in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Considering the high prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and the lack of effective therapies, even a slight reduction in symptoms could have positive public health consequences.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 10/2005; 22(5):387-94. · 3.77 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Probiotic bacteria are suggested to reduce symptoms of the atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) in food-allergic infants. We aimed to investigate whether probiotic bacteria have any beneficial effect on AEDS.
Follow-up of severity of AEDS by the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index in 230 infants with suspected cow's milk allergy (CMA) receiving, in a randomized double-blinded manner, concomitant with elimination diet and skin treatment, Lactobacillus GG (LGG), a mixture of four probiotic strains, or placebo for 4 weeks. Four weeks after the treatment, CMA was diagnosed with a double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) milk challenge in 120 infants.
In the whole group, mean SCORAD (at baseline 32.5) decreased by 65%, but with no differences between treatment groups immediately or 4 weeks after the treatment. No treatment differences were observed in infants with CMA either. In IgE-sensitized infants, however, the LGG group showed a greater reduction in SCORAD than did the placebo group, -26.1 vs-19.8 (P=0.036), from baseline to 4 weeks after the treatment. Exclusion of infants who had received antibiotics during the study reinforced the findings in the IgE-sensitized subgroup.
Treatment with LGG may alleviate AEDS symptoms in IgE-sensitized infants but not in non-IgE-sensitized infants.
Allergy 05/2005; 60(4):494-500. · 6.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study focused on the needs and sources of disease information of breast cancer patients and their spouses during early disease in two settings: at the department of oncology (AD) and on a rehabilitation course (RC). The aim was to characterize those patients and spouses who are not content with average information. Eighty percent of AD and 31% of RC patients were content with the available information (p < 0.001) and 75% of AD spouses and 43% of RC spouses reported similarly (p = 0.008). Higher education, younger age, and shorter time (<1 year) since diagnosis indicated a greater need for information among patients, whereas among spouses, only education level was associated with it. More information was needed on prognosis, cancer as a disease, its influence on daily life, and treatment effects. In both groups, the same proportion of patients reported to have felt involved in decision making sufficiently (60%), inadequately (27%), and 19% versus 16% did not want to be actively participating in decision making. The patients were mostly satisfied with participation in decision making, but they expressed unsatisfactory needs on information during early years of breast cancer. Similarly, their spouses were not content with available information.
Supportive Care Cancer 09/2004; 12(9):663-8. · 2.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The occurrence of contagious diseases among children attending day care centers (DCCs) is high. The possibility of reducing absences due to infections with an infection prevention program was investigated.
The intervention study was conducted as an open, controlled cluster study. It included 60 municipal DCCs in one of the seven districts of the City of Helsinki; 228 DCCs in the other six districts served as controls. The main indicator was the occurrence of absences due to upper respiratory tract infections, otitis media, eye infection and diarrhea per child-month.
The intervention reduced the absences due to infections by 26% among under 3-year olds, but not among older children. The same phenomenon was observed when similar paired random control DCCs were compared with the intervention DCCs.
Effective prevention of absences due to infections is possible among under 3-year olds by implementing a simple and inexpensive infection control program.
Infection 03/2004; 32(1):2-7. · 2.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study investigated self-reported dietary attitudes and changes, and use of complementary approaches among breast cancer patients in relation to age, education and time since diagnosis.
Australian (ABC, N=215) and Finnish (FBC, N=139) breast cancer patients were surveyed at the university cancer centres with voluntary participation. Logistic regression models were used to adjust for differences in demographic patient characteristics between the groups. The influence of demographic variables was further studied separately or combined.
In all, 30% of FBC patients and 39% of ABC patients reported having changed their diet (P=0.033). Higher education, younger age and longer time from diagnosis were significantly associated with the probability of changes. The main changes reported included reduced consumption of animal fat, sugar and red meat, and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. In all, 6% of ABC and 4% of FBC patients had stopped smoking and 24% of ABC and 27% of FBC patients reported to have increased their level of physical exercise. Choices were associated with age (P<0.007), length of the disease history (P <0.01) and level of education (P <0.002).
One-third of breast cancer patients surveyed reported to have changed their dietary habits. Both populations reported a need for dietary and lifestyle counselling. This need was experienced as poorly recognised by the physicians at present, and warrants future studies in dietary behaviour of breast cancer patients.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 01/2004; 58(1):137-44. · 2.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is characteristic of asthmatic airways, is induced by airway inflammation, and is reduced by inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). The time course for the onset and cessation of the effect of ICS on BHR is unclear. The effect of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) on BHR in patients with mild persistent asthma was assessed using time intervals of hours, days and weeks.
Twenty six asthmatic patients aged 21-59 years were selected for this randomised, double blind, parallel group study. The effect of 250 micro g inhaled FP (MDI) administered twice daily was compared with that of placebo on BHR assessed using a dosimetric histamine challenge method. The dose of histamine inducing a decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) by 15% (PD(15)FEV(1)) was measured before and 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours, and 2, 4 and 6 weeks after starting treatment, and 48 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks after cessation of treatment. Doubling doses of changes in PD(15)FEV(1) were calculated and area under the curve (AUC) statistics were used to summarise the information from individual response curves.
The increase in PD(15)FEV(1) from baseline was greater in the FP group than in the placebo group; the difference achieved significance within 72 hours and remained significant until the end of treatment. In the FP group PD(15)FEV(1) was 1.85-2.07 doubling doses above baseline between 72 hours and 6 weeks after starting treatment. BHR increased significantly within 2 weeks after cessation of FP treatment.
A sustained reduction in BHR to histamine in patients with mild asthma was achieved within 3 days of starting treatment with FP at a daily dose of 500 micro g. The effect tapered within 2 weeks of cessation of treatment.
Thorax 07/2003; 58(6):500-4. · 6.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The long-term effect of early feeding on atopic sensitization is still unsolved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of breastfeeding on atopy in groups of 4-year-old children stratified by atopic heredity.
We collected four groups of 4-year-old children from a birth cohort: two groups with differing backgrounds of atopic heredity, all exclusively breast-fed for at least 3 months; and two groups with differing atopic heredity, but all fed with cow's milk-based formula during their first weeks. The data were collected with a questionnaire, skin prick testing, and measurement of serum total and allergen-specific IgE levels.
Breastfeeding significantly decreased the risk of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis [odds ratio (OR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-0.95] and sensitization to furred pets, as measured by skin prick results, in children with atopic heredity, whereas in children without atopic heredity, breastfeeding was related to an increased risk of symptomatic atopy (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.16-5.70), and high serum IgE values. A significant interaction was found between heredity and breastfeeding.
The long-term effect of breastfeeding was dual: in children with atopic heredity, breastfeeding protected against atopy, whereas in children without atopic heredity, it increased the risk of atopy.
Allergy 07/2003; 58(6):524-30. · 6.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Background: The long-term effect of early feeding on atopic sensitization is still unsolved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of breastfeeding on atopy in groups of 4-year-old children stratified by atopic heredity.Methods: We collected four groups of 4-year-old children from a birth cohort: two groups with differing backgrounds of atopic heredity, all exclusively breast-fed for at least 3 months; and two groups with differing atopic heredity, but all fed with cow's milk-based formula during their first weeks. The data were collected with a questionnaire, skin prick testing, and measurement of serum total and allergen-specific IgE levels.Results: Breastfeeding significantly decreased the risk of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis [odds ratio (OR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–0.95] and sensitization to furred pets, as measured by skin prick results, in children with atopic heredity, whereas in children without atopic heredity, breastfeeding was related to an increased risk of symptomatic atopy (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.16–5.70), and high serum IgE values. A significant interaction was found between heredity and breastfeeding.Conclusions: The long-term effect of breastfeeding was dual: in children with atopic heredity, breastfeeding protected against atopy, whereas in children without atopic heredity, it increased the risk of atopy.
Allergy 05/2003; 58(6):524 - 530. · 6.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To study the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Twenty-one RA patients were randomised to receive 2 capsules of LGG or a placebo twice daily in double-blind fashion for 12 months. Arthritis activity was evaluated by clinical examination, HAQ index, and laboratory tests (e.g. ESR, CRP, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines).
There were no statistical differences in the clinical parameters, biochemical variables and HAQ index between the study groups over the intervention period. The mean number of tender and swollen joints decreased from 8.3 to 4.6 in the Lactobacillus group and from 5.5 to 4.8 in the placebo group (p = 0.41). According to the global assessment the RA activity was reduced in 71% (LGG group) vs. 30% (controls) (p = 0.15). Serum IL-1 beta increased slightly in the LGG group (p = 0.07), but no differences were seen in IL-6, TNF-alpha, MPO, IL-10 or 1L-12.
Although there were no statistical significant differences in the activity of RA, more subjects in the LGG group reported subjective well being. More studies on the effects of probiotic bacteria in RA are needed.
Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology 02/2003; 32(4):211-5. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study investigated ideas and attitudes of breast cancer patients in two countries with reference to information on diet and their need for dietary counselling.
Australian breast cancer (ABC) patients (n=215) surveyed for alterations in dietary habits after diagnosis were compared with breast cancer patients in Finland (FBC; n=139). A validated questionnaire was used. Logistic regression models were used to adjust for differences in demographic patient characteristics between the groups.
Eight per cent of FBC and 54% of ABC patients saw diet as a factor contributing to their disease (P<0.00001). Thirty per cent of FBC and 39% of ABC reported changing their diet after being informed of the diagnosis (P=0.033). Higher education, younger age and longer (>1 year) time to diagnosis were significantly associated with the probability of changing diet among the Australian patients. The main reason given was the desire for cure. The most common source of information was the mass media, and a need for more information on dietary factors relating to disease was expressed by 32% of patients in each group.
Ideas about the importance of diet varied significantly among ABS and FBC patients. The lack of precise dietary recommendations for the individual situation was commonly mentioned, and patients depended on information obtained from outside their treatment centre.
The Breast 01/2003; 11(6):516-21. · 2.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Cheese is known to contain compounds that reduce the risk of dental caries. The long-term consumption of milk containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, ATCC 53103 (LGG), has been shown to reduce caries risk in children. The aim of the present study was to examine whether short-term consumption of cheese containing LGG and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC 705 would diminish caries-associated salivary microbial counts in young adults. Altogether, 74 18-35 year-old subjects completed this double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled study. During the 3 week intervention, the subjects ate 5 x 15 g cheese per day. Oral examinations were made before and after the study. Stimulated salivary secretion rates, buffer capacity and counts of salivary Streptococcus mutans, yeast and lactobacilli were evaluated before and after the intervention and after a 3 week post-treatment period. The results showed no statistically significant difference between the groups in Streptococcus mutans counts after the intervention, but during the post-treatment period there was a significantly greater reduction in these counts in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.05). However, Streptococcus mutans counts decreased in 20% (P=0.01) and yeast counts in 27% (P=0.005) of all the subjects, regardless of the intervention group. Results from logistic regression showed a trend indicating that probiotic intervention might reduce the risk of the highest level of Streptococcus mutans (OR=0.37, 95% CI 0.08-1.75, P=0.21) and salivary yeasts (OR=0.40, 0.09-1.71, P=0.22).
Archives of Oral Biology 12/2002; 47(11):799-804. · 1.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In order to study the determinants of respiratory system impedance and bronchodilator response in preschool children, a sample (n = 109) of healthy children (age 2.1-7.0 years) attending kindergarten was measured by using the impulse oscillometry. Their selection was based on a standardized questionnaire, negative skin prick test results and clinical examination, and sufficient cooperation. Triple measurements of respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) at 5, 10, 15 and 20 Hz, total respiratory impedance (Zrs), the resonance frequency (Fr) and the frequency dependence of resistance (dRrs/df) were performed, to determine individual mean values. Measurements were repeated after inhalation of 300 microg salbutamol (n = 89) or placebo (n = 19). At the baseline, Zrs and Rrs5-20 showed negative, and Xrs5-20, Fr and dRrs/df positive correlations with age, height and weight. However, logarithmic transformed height was the best independent variable for the regression equations of all the oscillometric variables. After inhalation of placebo, none of the oscillometric variables changed significantly. In the salbutamol group, the mean (SD) change in Rrs5 was -0.187 (0.124) kPa l(-1) s(-1) and -19.2 (10.2)%, corresponding to a lower reference limit of -36.9%. Both the within-test and between-test repeatabilities for the measurement of respiratory resistance were acceptable, for Rrs5 the coefficients of variation being 6.2 and 6.1%, respectively. As the overall success rate in our sample was high (89%), the forced oscillation technique seems to be a useful method in assessing respiratory function and bronchial lability in preschool children.
Clinical physiology and functional imaging 02/2002; 22(1):64-71. · 1.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In order to study the determinants of respiratory system impedance and bronchodilator response in preschool children, a sample (n=109) of healthy children (age 2·1–7·0 years) attending kindergarten was measured by using the impulse oscillometry. Their selection was based on a standardized questionnaire, negative skin prick test results and clinical examination, and sufficient cooperation. Triple measurements of respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) at 5, 10, 15 and 20 Hz, total respiratory impedance (Zrs), the resonance frequency (Fr) and the frequency dependence of resistance (dRrs/df) were performed, to determine individual mean values. Measurements were repeated after inhalation of 300 μg salbutamol (n=89) or placebo (n=19). At the baseline, Zrs and Rrs5-20 showed negative, and Xrs5-20, Fr and dRrs/df positive correlations with age, height and weight. However, logarithmic transformed height was the best independent variable for the regression equations of all the oscillometric variables. After inhalation of placebo, none of the oscillometric variables changed significantly. In the salbutamol group, the mean (SD) change in Rrs5 was −0·187 (0·124) kPa l–1 s–1 and –19·2 (10·2)%, corresponding to a lower reference limit of –36·9%. Both the within-test and between-test repeatabilities for the measurement of respiratory resistance were acceptable, for Rrs5 the coefficients of variation being 6·2 and 6·1%, respectively. As the overall success rate in our sample was high (89%), the forced oscillation technique seems to be a useful method in assessing respiratory function and bronchial lability in preschool children.
Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging 12/2001; 22(1):64 - 71. · 1.33 Impact Factor
