Routine Lung Function Tests
Key Points
Key Points
- Interpretation of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) must take into account a level of uncertainty relating to:
- how representative the obtained result was of the individual’s lung function at the time of testing,
- how the pre-test probability of disease may influence what is the appropriate threshold for that individual, and
- how valid for the individual the reference population is against which the test is being judged.
- In the future it may also be reasonable to set clinical decision-making thresholds for a test based on clinical risk and observed clinical outcomes.
- A more comprehensive approach to interpretation (not simply relying on whether results are within or outside the normal range) is imperative for appropriate interpretation of lung function when pre-screening for employment, for tracking the effects of exposure, for disability assessment, and for risk assessment for therapies potentially toxic to the lungs.
- The interpretation of PFT results must always consider the inherent biological variability of the tests and the uncertainty of the test result.
Interpretation
...Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) refe...
...Determination of a Bronchodilator Resp...
...are limited data to support a single recommendat...
...Calculation of a Conditional Change Score i...
...ion of FEV1Q in adultsFEV1Q is the...
Figures
...Figu...
...gure 1. Normal Distribution With Z-scores...
.... FEV1/FVC Predicted and Limits of Normal Compared...
...arison of the ATS/ERS 2005 Recommendations...
...amples of Typical Flow-Volume Loop Config...
...Approach to Interpretation of Spirom...
...n of Ventilatory Impairments Defined...
...6. Approach to Interpretation o...
...igure 7. Approach to Interpretatio...
...cation of Ventilatory Impairments...
Tables
...Tables
...ble 1. Functional Classification of Co...
...ary of Types of Spirometrically Defined...
...Lung Function Indices Capable of Differe...