Maximal Effort-dependent Respiratory Flow Rates

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The general objective of this project is to determine the best method to measure maximal inspiratory flow rates, to study their reproducibility and create reference equations in healthy subjects.

Detailed Description
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Reproducibility and reference values in normal subjects: the investigators will propose a method for measurement of the maximal inspiratory flow rates (MIFR) and establish their reproducibility in normal subjects. The variability of these inspiratory flow rates will be compared with the variability of effort dependent and non-effort dependent expiratory flow rates. Also, reference equations will be drawn up and compared to the only existing set of reference values (2) (needing a revision). Reproducibility in disease: the investigators will evaluate the reproducibility of the MIFR in patients with neuromuscular diseases (Steinert muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and with upper airway obstruction (tracheal stenosis, thyroid enlargement) and compare to the reproducibility of expiratory flow rates in this population. Monitoring of diseases: In the neuromuscular patients MIFR will be correlated to the existing parameters used for monitoring of these diseases (respiratory muscle strength, forced vital capacity), with a longitudinal follow-up. In the patients with upper airway obstruction the MIFR (quantitative measurement) will be compared to the visual inspection (qualitative interpretation) of the maximal flow-volume loop and also the evolution after a therapeutic intervention (airway stenting, thyroidectomy) will be monitored.

Official Title
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Maximal Effort-dependent Respiratory Flow Rates: Reproducibility and Reference Values

Conditions
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Lung Function

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: healthy hospital workers or visitors Exclusion Criteria: current smokers or ex-smokers with a history of > 80 PY Presence or history of serious illness or thorax deformity (questionnaire) recent respiratory tract infection (1 week)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Normal values for maximal inspiratory flow rates | Peak inspiratory flow rate (PIF) | 3 years | 
| Normal values for maximal inspiratory flow rates | Maximal flow rate when 50% of inspiratory vital capacity has been inhaled (FIF50) | 3 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reproducibility of maximal inspiratory flow rates | Coefficient of variation for peak inspiratory flow rate (PIF) | 3 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Lung function, Inspiratory flow rates