Can peak expiratory flow predict airflow obstruction in children with asthma?
The results of this study suggest that it might be possible to identify children for whom the PEF is likely to give false-negative results. As air trapping increases, it causes the PEF to give misleading reassurance of normal pulmonary function. Furthermore, poor predictiveness of PEF is obtained when values 80% of predicted for age are considered normal.
In contrast to previous studies that fail to control for regional variations in health outcomes, we find little support for the contention that exposure to income inequality is detrimental to either individual or population health.