Spirometric testing: how much is enough?
The author comments on the report by Dr. Benjamin Chan and associates on spirometry utilization rates in Ontario (see pages 169 to 176 of this issue). Their findings indicate that the overall utilization of spirometry in the province is not unreasonably high and may in fact be too low in certain regions and patient groups. The author argues, however, that to a large extent the wrong type of spirometry is being done. Although the wider use of flow studies should be promoted, the utility of flow-volume loops rather than simple spirograms as an office procedure is highly questionable.
Anthonisen
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D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014797:Vital Capacity