Peak Inspiratory Flow Rate and the Ability to Use the
Thrbuhaler in Thai Children Aged 3-7 Years
USA TANTIBHAEDHYANGKUL, MD*, PANTIPA CHATCHATEE, MD*,
THANEEY A CHOKETEERASWAD, BN*, JARUNGCHIT NGAMPHAIBOON, MD*
Affiliation : * Allergy and Immunology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkom University, Bangkok
10330, Thailand.
AbstractA Turbuhaler is a dry powder inhaler device commonly used by asthmatic patients. Its
superiority over a metered-dose inhaler device includes easy technique, convenience in handling and
absence of chloro fluoro carbon (CFC). However, the use of this device has some limitations in young
children who may not be able to generate the inspiratory flow rate high enough to assure adequate
medication delivery. Even though the Turbuhaler has been used in Thailand for many years, the study
of inspiratory flow rate and the ability to use this device in Thai preschool children is lacking.
In the present study, the authors aimed to evaluate the ability to use the Turbuhaler in Thai
preschool children by measuring the peak inspiratory flow rate, peak inspiratory flow rate through the
Turbuhaler as well as positive test of the Turbutester. Subjects included 468 Thai preschool children,
aged 3-7 years old. They were assigned to perform the test with In-Check Dial, Mini-Wright Peak
Flow Meter and Turbutester. The authors found that the ability to use the device correlated directly with
age and children with age of 5 years or more could perform significantly better. Children weight of 20
kilograms or more, or a height of 113 centimeters or more were also able to generate adequate inspira
tory flow rate for medication delivery.
The authors concluded that children from the age of five years, or with a weight from 20
kilograms or a height from 113 centimeters were able to generate adequate inspiratory flow rate for
effective medication delivery by the Turbuhaler.
Keywords : Asthma, Dry Powder Inhaler, Turbuhaler, Inspiratory Flow Rate
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