Abstract

Spirometry is a crucial tool in the objective evaluation of airflow restriction in the diagnosis of asthma. The viability and usefulness of spirometry to confirm the diagnosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during exacerbations remain unknown. Filling in these information gaps can make it easier to decide when confirmatory testing is necessary for clinical care and attempts to improve the quality of care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of spirometry and its usefulness in patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of asthma exacerbation.

Study including multiple centers and four university medical centers. 113 adults admitted to general medicine wards with a doctor's diagnosis of asthma exacerbation underwent spirometry. To estimate the percentage of patients who were able to generate appropriate quality spirometry data, two board-certified pulmonologists examined the spirometry tracings. According to the 2005 recommendations from the European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society, the results were analyzed to assess the usefulness of spirometry to confirm the existence of obstructive lung disease.

Most hospitalized patients with a doctor's diagnosis of asthma exacerbation can get adequate quality spirometry.Confirmatory spirometry may be an effective method for reducing the over diagnosis of obstructive lung disease, particularly in individuals who are obese.