RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reliability of translaryngeal airway resistance measurements during maximal exercise
JF ERJ Open Research
JO erjor
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 00581-2021
DO 10.1183/23120541.00581-2021
VO 8
IS 1
A1 Zoe Fretheim-Kelly
A1 Mette Engan
A1 Hege Clemm
A1 Tiina Andersen
A1 John-Helge Heimdal
A1 Eric Strand
A1 Thomas Halvorsen
A1 Ola Røksund
A1 Maria Vollsæter
YR 2022
UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/8/1/00581-2021.abstract
AB Objective Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction is an important cause of exertional dyspnoea. The diagnosis rests on visual judgement of relative changes of the laryngeal inlet during continuous laryngoscopy exercise (CLE) tests, but we lack objective measures that reflect functional consequences. We aimed to investigate repeatability and normal values of translaryngeal airway resistance measured at maximal intensity exercise.Methods 31 healthy nonsmokers without exercise-related breathing problems were recruited. Participants performed two CLE tests with verified positioning of two pressure sensors, one at the tip of the epiglottis (supraglottic) and one by the fifth tracheal ring (subglottic). Airway pressure and flow data were continuously collected breath-by-breath and used to calculate translaryngeal resistance at peak exercise. Laryngeal obstruction was assessed according to a standardised CLE score system.Results Data from 26 participants (16 females) with two successful tests and equal CLE scores on both test sessions were included in the translaryngeal resistance repeatability analyses. The coefficient of repeatability (CR) was 0.62 cmH2O·L−1·s−1, corresponding to a CR% of 21%. Mean±sd translaryngeal airway resistance (cmH2O·L−1·s−1) in participants with no laryngeal obstruction (n=15) was 2.88±0.50 in females and 2.18±0.50 in males. Higher CLE scores correlated with higher translaryngeal resistance in females (r=0.81, p<0.001).Conclusions This study establishes translaryngeal airway resistance obtained during exercise as a reliable parameter in respiratory medicine, opening the door for more informed treatment decisions and future research on the role of the larynx in health and disease.This is the first study to establish translaryngeal airway resistance as a reliable parameter in human respiratory medicine, allowing more informed treatment decisions and future research on the role of the larynx in health and disease https://bit.ly/3rnBRWS