Non-linear parameters of specific resistance loops to characterise obstructive airways diseases

BACKGROUND: Specific resistance loops appear in different shapes influenced by different resistive properties of the airways, yet their descriptive ability is compressed to a single parameter - its slope. We aimed to develop new parameters reflecting the various shapes of the loop and to explore their potential in the characterisation of obstructive airways diseases. METHODS: Our study included 134 subjects: Healthy controls (N = 22), Asthma with non-obstructive lung function (N = 22) and COPD of all disease stages (N = 90). Different shapes were described by geometrical and second-order transfer function parameters. RESULTS: Our parameters demonstrated no difference between asthma and healthy controls groups, but were significantly different (p < 0.0001) from the patients with COPD. Grouping mild COPD subjects by an open or not-open shape of the resistance loop revealed significant differences of loop parameters and classical lung function parameters. Multiple logistic regression indicated RV/TLC as the only predictor of loop opening with OR = 1.157, 95% CI (1.064–1.267), p-value = 0.0006 and R(2) = 0.35. Inducing airway narrowing in asthma gave equal shape measures as in COPD non-openers, but with a decreased slope (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study introduces new parameters calculated from the resistance loops which may correlate with different phenotypes of obstructive airways diseases.