Peak expiratory flow rate of Sri Lankan Tamil adults aged between 20 to 60 years in Jaffna district; A preliminary finding

Abstract

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O b jec tiv e s: A s variations in P E F R am ongst ethnic groups have .been observed in m any studies and a lack o f norm al values am ongst the T am il adult population ham pers clinical use o f the PEFR as an indicator o f respiratory dysfunction, objective o f this study w as to m easure the norm al peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) o f Sri Lankan T am il adults. M e th o d s: H ealthy adults (n=267) aged betw een 20-60 years from regions o f Jaffna district w ere studied. Standing height, sitting height and w eight w ere m easured. A ge, B M I, sitting height to standing height ratio w ere calculated. P E F R w as m easured w ith (m ini - W right com patible) A sthm a Plan peak flow m eter. Independent t test and Pearson correlation w ere used in SPS S fo r analysis. A p value o f <0.05 w as set as significant. R esu lts: There w erel2 5 m ales and 142 fem ales. The m ean age w as 41± 10 years, and 37± 10 years in m ales and fem ales respectively. T he m ean P E F R w ere 458 ±70 1/min in m ales and 316 ± 46 1/min in fem ales. T he m ean PEFR differed significantly betw een both sexes. Reduction in PEFR after fifth decade (37 m ales, 26 fem ales) was significant in males. T here w as a significant negative correlation (r = - 0.281) betw een PEFR and age am ongst the m ales. Significant correlations o f P E F R w ere observed w ith standing height (0.428), w eight (0.327) and sitting height (0.374) in males. In fem ales standing height (0.211) and sitting height (0.264) had significant.correlation w ith PEFR. C onclusions: N orm al values o f PE F R in Sri Lankan Tam il adults w ere studied. A reduction in the PEFR was observed after the fifth d ec ad e o f life in this population.