Use of spirometry as an objective tool in diagnosis and management of airway obstruction among patients diagnosed and treated with chronic obstructive lung disease or asthma

Abstract

Background Spirometry is an important pulmonary function test that is used to evaluate patients complaining of respiratory problems. Spirometry is used to help in the diagnosis and follow-up of management of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Aim To assess the use of spirometry as an objective tool in the diagnosis and management of patients treated for obstructive lung diseases (asthma and COPD). Patients and methods A total of 100 patients previously diagnosed as having COPD or asthma were included in the study. All of them were recruited from the outpatient clinic of Abbasia Chest Hospital. Patients were subjected to history taking and physical examination, chest radiograph, and spirometry before and after use of inhaled short-acting bronchodilator. Results A total of 100 patients previously diagnosed as having COPD or asthma clinically or with previous spirometry were included in the study and were subjected to spirometry. It was found that only 4% of patients were subjected to previous spirometry, whereas rest of the patients were diagnosed clinically. After new spirometry was performed for all patients, there was a significant difference between provisional and final diagnosis. History taking from patients revealed poor control and management of their diseases according to COPD assessment test, asthma control test, and Modified British Medical Research Council. Conclusion There is underutilization of spirometry in practice for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with COPD and bronchial asthma, so it is recommended that spirometry should be done for patients complaining of recurrent respiratory problems.

Keywords

• bronchial asthma
• chronic obstructive lung disease
• spirometry