RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar os pontos de corte de resposta ao broncodilatador do VEF1, VEF0,75, VEF0,5 e FEF25-75% em crianças pré-escolares saudáveis e gerar valores de referência para o VEF0,75. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal de base comunitária em crianças de 3-5 anos de idade. Pré-escolares saudáveis foram selecionados por um questionário padronizado. Foi realizada espirometria antes e depois do uso de broncodilatador. Foram definidos os pontos de corte dessa resposta como o percentil 95 de variação em cada parâmetro. Resultados: Foram recrutadas 266 crianças, e 160 (60,0%) foram capazes de gerar manobras expiratórias aceitáveis e reprodutíveis antes e depois do uso de broncodilatador. As médias de idade e estatura dos participantes foram 57,78 ± 7,86 meses e 106,56 ± 6,43 cm, respectivamente. A taxa de sucesso para o VEF0,5 foi de 35%, 68% e 70%, respectivamente, nos participantes com 3, 4 e 5 anos de idade. O percentil 95 de variação percentual do valor previsto na resposta ao broncodilatador foram, respectivamente, de 11,6%, 16,0%, 8,5% e 35,5%, para VEF1, VEF0,75, VEF0,5 e FEF25-75%. Conclusões: Nossos resultados definiram pontos de corte de resposta ao broncodilatador para o VEF1, VEF0,75, VEF0,5 e FEF25-75 em crianças pré-escolares saudáveis. Adicionalmente, foram propostas equações de referência para o VEF0,75, separadas por sexo. Os achados deste estudo podem melhorar a avaliação fisiológica da função respiratória em pré-escolares.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the cut-off points for FEV1, FEV0.75, FEV0.5, and FEF25-75% bronchodilator responses in healthy preschool children and to generate reference values for FEV0.75. Methods: This was a cross-sectional community-based study involving children 3-5 years of age. Healthy preschool children were selected by a standardized questionnaire. Spirometry was performed before and after bronchodilator use. The cut-off point of the response was defined as the 95th percentile of the change in each parameter. Results: We recruited 266 children, 160 (60%) of whom were able to perform acceptable, reproducible expiratory maneuvers before and after bronchodilator use. The mean age and height were 57.78 ± 7.86 months and 106.56 ± 6.43 cm, respectively. The success rate for FEV0.5 was 35%, 68%, and 70% in the 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds, respectively. The 95th percentile of the change in the percentage of the predicted value in response to bronchodilator use was 11.6%, 16.0%, 8.5%, and 35.5% for FEV1, FEV0.75, FEV0.5, and FEF25-75%, respectively. Conclusions: Our results provide cut-off points for bronchodilator responsiveness for FEV1, FEV0.75, FEV0.5, and FEF25-75% in healthy preschool children. In addition, we proposed gender-specific reference equations for FEV0.75. Our findings could improve the physiological assessment of respiratory function in preschool children.

Abstract The Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) has been described as an alternative therapeutic resource for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with similarity to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program (PRP). The aim of the study was to compare PRP to WBV on functional capacity and quality of life in patients with COPD. Twenty individuals with COPD were assigned to PRP and WBV, who were evaluated regarding their lung function, functional capacity and quality of life through spirometry, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), respectively. The main results for the WBV group were, there were improvements in the walked distance on the 6MWT and in the symptoms and total domains of the SGRQ. For the PRP group, we observed improvement in the activity, impact and total domains of SGRQ. We could conclude that the WBV group increased the walked distance in regard to the PRP group and both programs improved the quality of life.