I would like to ask about your experience in reporting spirometry results.
In the reports from spirometry examinations we usually see the flow-volume and volume-time curves obtained from the best maneuvers. What criteria for displaying best flow-volume or volume-time curves are recommended?
I think, we have few options:
1. Select curve with the largest FVC
2. Select curve with the largest sum of FEV1 and FVC
3. Select curve with the largest FEV1
Of course the curve should be correctly performed (according to ATS/ERS standards).
In the example below the results of PRE/POST examinations are displayed, but unfortunately there are no information about selection criteria of the curves from PRE and POST maneuvers.
In an industry wide periodic health surveillance program in the NSW (Australia) coal mining industry we used the better FEV1 out of two satisfactory efforts.
Pulmonary function tests are generally very important to measure the disability level in humans. Otherwise, the sft with the best combination of fev1 and fvc should be taken in patients with asthma or COPD. However, if it is considered for disability, it would be more appropriate to take the highest FVC for restriction and the highest FEV1 for obstruction. Kind regards
The flow volume curve is used and the highest FVC should be taken with highest FEV1.
The volume time is also useful in testing the pulmonary function to examin the time taken by the forces expiration
Well, what this exemple tells us is that probably the most crucial issue is to clearly inform the user what criteria were used for choosing the curve. Ultimately, one can think of a solution where the user can specify (namely, choose an appropriate option in settings) which criteria he would like to use for his/her patients.
By the way, if you can still use the system that generated the figure that you have attached, you shall be able to blow a few clever test curves to confirm or to reject the hypothesis that the system uses highest FEV1 / highest FVC.
Goal of repeated spirometry and repeated attempts is to achieve 3 minimally acceptable FEV1s and FVCs with
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