The comparison study on accuracy of peak expiratory flow rate measurement by PRAAN, spirometry, and the mini-Wright peak flow meter Â

Abstract

Background PRAAN, a digital peak flow meter, was developed to measure peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) for asthma monitoring. This study aimed to compare PRAAN’s accuracy to that of spirometry and the mini-Wright peak flow meter for PEFR measurement. Methods Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in 106 healthy adult participants. Study A (n=56) compared PRAAN with spirometry, while study B (n=50) compared PRAAN with the mini-Wright peak flow meter. PEFR values were collected using crossover studies. Pearson’s correlation and Bland-Altman plots were used to report the relationship and agreement between two measurements, respectively. Results In study A, 51.8% were female, mean age was 24.3±5.6 years, and PEFR was 480.3±86.8 L/min. PEFR measured by PRAAN had very strongly positive correlation with spirometry (r=0.980, P<0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed that there was good agreement between them, with a low mean difference of -7.07 liters/minute (95% CI: -40.58 to 26.44 liters/minute) and 92.9%, which were within the limit of agreement (LOA). In study B, 54.0% were female, mean age was 23.5±2.4 years, and PEFR was 495.1±82.7 L/min. PEFR measured by PRAAN and by the mini-Wright peak flow meter showed very strongly positive correlation (r=0.971, P<0.001). Bland-Altman comparison of PEFR between these two measurements showed that there was a very good agreement between them, with a low mean difference of 0.84 liters/minute (95% CI: -38.68 to 40.38 liters/minute) and 94.0%, which were within LOA. Conclusions The accuracy of PRAAN is in the agreement with spirometry and the mini-Wright peak flow meter. The clinical application of PRAAN may potentially lead to a monitoring strategy that healthcare providers can use to improve the management of asthma.