Spirometric indices of early airflow obstruction.
Thirty cigarette smokers and 25 non-smoking controls, all men were evaluated by history, physical examination and simple spirometry. The history and physical examination were not of much use in predicting airflow obstruction. Forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF 25-75%) was abnormally low in 23 of the 30 subjects, while forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) were less sensitive. Thus simple spirometry is a useful screening tool to detect early airflow obstruction even when it is clinically undetectable.
Joseph
C M
CM
Department of Medicine, St John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore.
Sridhar
C B
CB
Raphael
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors