References: Browning et al, 1990
Chest. 1990 Jun;97(6):1317-21.
Importance of respiratory rate as an indicator of respiratory dysfunction
in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Browning IB, D'Alonzo GE, Tobin MJ.
Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.
Abstract
Bedside measurement of respiratory frequency is commonly performed in a
cursory manner and judged to be of little clinical importance. However, in a
recent study of patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation, we found
that tachypnea was quite accurate in predicting an unsuccessful weaning
outcome. The present study was undertaken to examine the relationship
between nonobtrusive measurements of respiratory frequency, using a
calibrated inductive plethysmograph, and detailed measurements of pulmonary
function in 11 adult patients with cystic fibrosis of varying severity.
Respiratory frequency was increased in the patients with cystic fibrosis
compared with a group of healthy control subjects, as was minute ventilation
and mean inspiratory flow. Respiratory frequency was a sensitive predictor
of respiratory dysfunction, being significantly (p less than 0.05)
correlated with airway obstruction (r = 0.76), hyperinflation (r = 0.52),
arterial oxygenation (r = -0.59), rib cage-abdominal discoordination (r =
0.54), and maximum ventilation during exercise (r = 0.66). Despite the
presence of tachypnea, the patients did not display shallow breathing;
indeed, tidal volume was not correlated with any of the above abnormalities.
In conclusion, respiratory rate was a useful indicator of respiratory
dysfunction in this group of patients with cystic fibrosis.