Peak expiratory flow: conclusions and recommendations of a Working Party of the European Respiratory Society.

Abstract

The use of peak flow meters has been widely adopt-ed for monitoring patients with asthma. The Working Party of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) has solely addressed technical and physiological issues rel-ating to peak expiratory flow (PEF) (flow describes the rate of change of volume (volume rate), so that flow rate is equivalent to volume acceleration. Hence, PEF should be used in preference to peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)). Monitoring schemes, or comparison of PEF with other indices, such as the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), do not form part of these recommendations. Measurements of PEF are of value in identifying air-flow limitation. The correlation between airflow and symptoms is variable, some patients being poor per-