Desktop Helper No.18 - Usefulness of Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) in Everyday Clinical Practice for Asthma

Spirometry is the gold standard test for confirming asthma diagnosis, assessing bronchodilator responsiveness and measuring airflow obstruction. However, its use is often limited because of cost and the need for training.

Peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring offers a practical, cost-effective alternative that can be easily integrated into primary care settings, recommended by GINA. PEF measurements provide an effective method for monitoring asthma variability and control, enhancing the accessibility of asthma management.

Authors: Alan Kaplan, Rafael Patricio Castañón Rodríguez, Katherine Hickman, Miguel Roman-Rodríguez, Hani Syahida Binti Salim, Liliana Silva

Reviewers: Armando Brito de Sá, María Sofía Cuba Fuentes, Habib Ghedira, Sian Williams, Jaime Correia de Sousa, Ioanna Tsiligianni, Lindsay Zurba

Editors: Ian Wright

Funding: The writing and production of this desktop helper was funded by the IPCRG as part of the Asthma Right Care movement.

Date published: January 2025