[Forced oscillation respiratory resistance and MEV in the evaluation of nonspecific bronchial reactivity].

We have evaluated bronchial reactivity to histamine in 64 subjects with various degrees of bronchial obstruction, by the usual method of forced expired volume in one second FEV1 (VEMS) (CP20) and by the measurement of respiratory resistance (Rrs) using the forced oscillation technique. The characteristics of the relation of this histamine dose--spirometric response--Rrs was studied and compared with the usual CP20. We have found a significant linear correlation between the fall of VEMS and the rise in Rrs (R = 0.91, p less than 0.001) and the better concordance between CP20 spirometric and CP40 Rrs (r = 0.90, p less than 0.001). The measurement system for Rrs enables an evaluation of the degree of bronchial obstruction comparable to forced spirometry in bronchial provocation test to histamine and could be used to advantage in those subjects in whom collaboration might be doubtful or inadequate.