Spirometry

Pulmonary function tests are an integral part of diagnosing and managing patients with lung diseases. Pulmonary function tests need to be interpreted in correlation with patient’s history, examination findings, imaging findings and laboratory data.

The commonly performed tests are spirometry, diffusing capacity [DLCO], lung volume assessment, tests for respiratory muscle strength, airway oscillometry and bronchial provocation tests etc. Among this, spiromety is an essential tool. Spirometry allows screening, diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases. This is a simple, non-invasive test that is easy to perform.

It is an essential tool in evaluating patient’s symptoms like cough, wheeze, breathing difficulty and chest tightness and those who have abnormal findings on clinical examination and abnormal laboratory tests.

It is being done in the following situations: To evaluate respiratory symptoms, signs, abnormal laboratory or radiographic findings, in diagnosing lung diseases, in monitoring patients with lung diseases, to assist in disease prognosis, to help to identify the lung effects of occupational, environmental and drug exposures, objective assessment of impairment of lung function, preoperative evaluation prior to lung resection surgeries and in assisting smoking-cessation efforts.

The tests are often valuable for following the progress of a patient with chronic lung disease and assessing the results of treatment given to the patients with lung diseases. Bronchodilator responsiveness and respiratory muscle strength are also assessed with these tests.