Evaluating Pulmonary Function in Pediatric Emergency Department Patients Experiencing Acute Wheezing/Asthma Exacerbation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1996/pjcm.v28i2.830Abstract
Background: Asthma poses a substantial worldwide health issue, particularly during childhood, where it stands as the most common chronic condition. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) have been designed to assess children's tidal breathing, which may have limited cooperation due to their age or respiratory condition.Objective: The present study aimed to assess the pulmonary function in pediatric emergency department patients, experiencing acute wheezing/asthma exacerbation.Methodology: This prospective observational study investigated 52 acute wheezing/asthma exacerbations in the Emergency Department of Children's Hospital, Lahore from November 2020 to October 2021. All patients aged 2-16 years presented with wheezing or asthma exacerbation as a chief complaint were enrolled. Pulmonary function tests were conducted initially, before initiating the standard care treatment (specifically, protocol- driven care for patients with asthma). The primary metrics evaluated included the feasibility of testing, patient compliance, and the tests' ability to predict whether the patient should be admitted to the hospital or discharged.Results: Of the total 52 patients, there were 33 (63.5%) male and 19 (36.5%) females. The overall mean age was 8.8±4.7 years. The incidence of mild, moderate, and severe asthma patients were 53.8% (n=28), 28.8% (n=15), and 17.3% (n=9) respectively. Admitted patients exhibited elevated heart rates, higher phase angle, labored breathing index, and asthma score. Based on prior history of patients, asthma/wheezing, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and smoke exposure were found in 18 (34.6%), 14 (26.9%), 9 (17.3%), and 4 (7.7%) respectively. Among 52 patients, the admitted and discharged patients were 19 (36.5%) and 33 (63.5%) respectively.Conclusion: The current study endorsed the use of Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) as an objective assessment tool for evaluating asthma/wheezing severity and exacerbation in an Emergency Department.Keywords: Acute Wheezing/Asthma, Pulmonary Function Test, Pediatric patientsDownloads
Published
2022-06-02
How to Cite
Rabia Riaz, Tahir Mehmood Bangash, Sajid Shamim, Zahid Rashid, Muneeba Iqbal, & Zafar Iqbal Bhatti. (2022). Evaluating Pulmonary Function in Pediatric Emergency Department Patients Experiencing Acute Wheezing/Asthma Exacerbation. Pakistan Journal of Chest Medicine, 28(2), 167–172. https://doi.org/10.1996/pjcm.v28i2.830
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