| Popis: |
Background: To perform pulmonary function tests (PFT’s), the correct determination of the height is extremely important to obtain the reference equations and affects the interpretation of the results. Commonly this measure is made by a stadiometer, although in some individuals with certain pathologies and/or advanced age, has to be replaced by the determination of arm-span. Objectives: to identify if there are ventilatory pattern changes using height or arm-span and to verify if there are differences in the degree of severity using height or arm-span. Methodology: The sample was composed by 107 individuals of both genders. The height and the arm-span was measured, and the PFT’s were performed using the height in first place and then replacing to arm-span in the computer software. Results: There was a strong and positive correlation between height and arm-span in both genders (r= 0.751; p= 0.000). Regarding respiratory functional variables under study, there was a very strong positive correlation between the two measures: [FVC (r= 0.807; p= 0.001); FEV1 (r=0.798; p=0.000); TLC (r=0.815; p= 0.002): RV (r= 0.912; p=0.000)]. Even though, it was verified that in 21% of the patients the ventilatory pattern changed and in 28% of them, the degree of severity increased one degree. Conclusion: Although no significant differences were found between the two measurements, in a considerable percentage of the patients the ventilatory pattern and/or the degree of severity has changed, so the use of arm span seems to be relevant. |
