Statistical modelling of lung function from multiple-breath washout and complex tidal flow waveform data

Abstract

Multiple-breath washout (MBW) and tidal flow waveform data, widely used to measure lung function in paediatric settings, are typically analysed using simple empirical summaries rather than statistical models. Yet the data have underlying functional forms which suggest model-based approaches may be useful. Novel approaches to modelling such data—from children with and without cystic fibrosis—were developed and applied to estimate various summaries of lung function using Bayesian and spectral analytical methods. We developed a novel Bayesian statistical model for infant MBW data and applied it to tests from a large cohort of individuals from a major birth cohort study. We focused on the estim..