PIKO‐6® vs. forced spirometry in asthmatic children

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Abstract
Background The PIKO‐6® is an electronic device that measures forced expiratory volume at seconds 1 (FEV1) and 6 (FEV6) of a forced vital capacity (FVC) maneuver. This device could aid in diagnosing obstructive respiratory diseases. Objectives To determine the concordance of FEV1, FEV6, and the FEV1/FEV6 quotient achieved with PIKO‐6® versus spirometric values from asthmatic patients, and compare results with measures from healthy children. Methods A cross‐sectional study with asthmatic and healthy 6‐to‐14‐year‐old children, all of whom performed a forced spirometry as well as a PIKO‐6® test. Results The study included 82 subjects (58 asthmatics, 24 healthy children). Except for the functional parameters, the basal characteristics of the two groups were similar. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) for FEV1 was 0.938 (P < 0.001), with 95% limits of agreement of −0.591 to 0.512 L, and an average of differences of −0.040 L. For FEV6, CCC was 0.927 (P < 0.001), and the 95% limits of agreement were −0.751 to 0.598 L with an average of differences of −0.077 L. The concordance analysis and the FEV1 and FEV6 associations were better in children with controlled asthma and healthy subjects, as well as in the post‐bronchodilator results. Conclusions The concordance between PIKO‐6® and spirometry was lower in patients with partially controlled or uncontrolled asthma compared to controlled or healthy children. The broad limits of agreement show that the FEV1, FEV6, and FEV1/FEV6 obtained with the PIKO‐6® are not interchangeable with spirometry results. Longitudinal evaluations of asthma patients are necessary to assess the utility of PIKO‐6®. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:1170–1176.