PEAK FLOW MEASUREMENT AS A SCREENING-TEST FOR RESTRICTIVE PULMONARY DISORDERS

We tested whether measurement of peak flow was useful in determining the presence and severity of restrictivepulmonary disorders in addition to its recognized use in the diagnosis and management of airflow obstruction. In 102 patients with various causes of restriction of lung volumes, we found that peak expiratory flow correlated well with forced vital capacity. As a diagnostic test it was useful in restrictive disorders, except in fibrosing alveolitis where it consistently failed to detect abnormality. © 1990, Baillière Tindall. All rights reserved.