Impulse oscillometry, spirometry, and passive smoking in healthy children and adolescents

Objective

To identify changes in the forced and quiet breathing parameters of lung function in healthy children and adolescents exposed to passive smoking (PS).

Method

Comparative cross-sectional study. Healthy schoolchildren aged 6 to 14 years. We collected anthropometric data, lung function parameters using spirometry (forced breathing), and quiet breathing parameters using impulse oscillometry. The sample was divided into two groups according to exposure to PS: passive smoking group (PSG) and non-passive smoking group (NPSG). For the statistical analysis, the Shapiro–Wilk test was used to verify data normality and the T-test or Mann–Whitney test to compare spirometric and oscillometric parameters between groups (p ≤ 0.05).

Main findings

The study included 78 children and adolescents, with 14 boys and 25 girls in each group. There were differences in the mean values for peak expiratory flow (p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between the groups in values for z-score and lower limit of normal. The PSG had higher mean absolute values for reactance area (X5 = 0.05) and significant percentage of predicted values for the following impulse oscillometry parameters: central airway resistance (R20%, p = 0.03) and for the indicators of presence of airway obstruction (Fres%, p = 0.01; X5% = 0.01% and AX%, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Children and adolescents exposed to PS had lower values for the spirometric variables and higher values for the oscillometric variables, indicating changes in forced and quiet parameters of lung function compared to the NPSG.