LAUSR

The Global Initiative for Asthma report emphasises the use of spirometry in diagnosing and monitoring asthma in children from 6 years of age onwards [1]. Spirometry requires good cooperation and younger children are sometimes unable to perform repeated forced expiratory blows [2]. Alternative pulmonary function measurements, such as the forced oscillation technique (FOT), are increasingly available for children at preschool age [3]. FOT measures lung function by imposing small soundwaves over tidal breathing through a mouthpiece, where pressure and flow changes in the airways are measured to derive respiratory system properties [4, 5]. The first study on bronchodilator responses by FOT in preschool-aged children was published already two decades ago [6]. Guidelines endorse the use of respiratory oscillometry in diagnosing and following up asthma in young children [3, 7], and it has shown potential in predicting loss of asthma control in older children and adolescents [8]. However, little is known of how FOT indices correlate with flow–volume indices when this technique is used in adjunct with conventional spirometry. Evaluation of airway obstruction with forced oscillation technique can be an adjunct to spirometry or even used as a primary method in those children unable to perform spirometry https://bit.ly/34rE6x2