PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW VARIABILITY IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 10 TO 15 YEARS IN NASSARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KANO STATE

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PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW VARIABILITY IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 10 TO 15 YEARS IN NASSARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KANO STATE

Abstract

Peak Expiratory Flow Variability (PEFvar) is useful in identification of airflow limitation and
assessment of its severity. It is also useful in detecting variable airflow obstruction hence its use

in screening and diagnosis of asthma especially in resource limited settings. This study was
undertaken to determine PEFvar of apparently healthy school children in Nassarawa Local
Government Area (LGA), of Kano State, to establish a reference range of PEFvar that can be used
as a guide for the diagnosis of significant airway obstruction. To our knowledge, no similar work
was done in the Nassarawa LGA or any other Local Government in Kano State.
This was a cross sectional study conducted among 10 to 15 year-old children attending primary
and junior secondary schools in Nassarawa LGA of Kano state. The study was carried out between
March and September 2012, using a multistage sampling method. The pupils’ ages, heights and
weights were determined while PEFvar was determined from Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) values
recorded at seven (7) a.m., three (3) p.m., and nine (9) p.m. over a two week period, using mini
Wright peak flow metre in standing position.
A total of 330 pupils were recruited out of whom 310 completed their recordings and their data
were analysed. The means ± Standard Deviations (SD) of PEF (L/ min) for all subjects at 7 a.m.,
3 p.m. and 9 p.m. were 368.9 ±38.0, 397.2 ±36.4 and 384.3 ±37.8 respectively. There were strong
positive correlations of PEF with age, height and weight (r = 0.746, 0.813 and 0.944) respectively.
The mean PEFvar for all the subjects was 7.6 ±2.0 percent [7.8 ±2.0% for males and 7.5 ±2.0%
for females]. No significant gender difference in mean PEFvar was observed (p = 0.1). The upper
limit of 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was 11.6 % for all subjects (11.8 % for males and 11.5 %
for females). The mean PEFvar showed strong negative correlations with age, height and weight
(r = ̶ 0.859, ̶ 0.860 and ̶ 0.883) respectively. Regression equations for PEF and PEFvar were
derived for age, height and weight and the predicted values were similar to the observed.
The mean PEF of 398.5 ±36.1 L/ min was recorded in this study and it correlates strongly and
positively with age, height and weight. The PEFvar was 7.6 ±2.0% and at the upper limit of 95%
confidence interval, it was 11.6%. Hence a round figure of 12% was taken as the recommended
cut-off point for diagnosis of a significant variable airway obstruction as in asthma, in Nassarawa
LGA and other areas of Kano Metropolis sharing similar socio-demographic characteristics.

PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW VARIABILITY IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 10 TO 15 YEARS IN NASSARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KANO STATE

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