title: Quality control of spirometry in the elderly. The SA.R.A. study. SAlute Respiration nell'Anziano = Respiratory Health in the Elderly.
abstract: We evaluated the outcome of the spirometry quality control program of the SA.R.A. multicenter project, the aim of which is the multidimensional assessment of asthma and COPD in the elderly (>/= 65 yr). The factors determining this quality were also evaluated. The program was based on standardized procedures (ATS recommendations), performed by specifically trained and certified personnel; a fully-computerized spirometer with customized software was used for spirometry. A reference center made monthly controls. Overall, 638 cases and 984 controls were examined. Spirometric measurements were obtained in 607 cases and 912 controls; 508 and 747 tests with at least three acceptable curves were obtained in cases and in controls, respectively (NS). The percentage of reproducible tests ranged between 95.8% for FEV(1) in controls and 87.6% for FVC in cases. The average reproducibility for FEV(1) was 61.6 ml in cases and 58.3 ml in controls (NS). Cognitive impairment, shorter 6-min walk distance, and lower educational level were found to be independent risk factors for a poorer acceptability rate (logistic regression analysis). Male sex and age were risk factors for a poorer reproducibility of FEV(1). Reproducibility tended to improve with time (p < 0.001). Although spirometry becomes increasingly difficult in aging patients, a rigorous quality control program can ensure that reliable data are obtained in the majority of patients.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Medicina Generale e Pneumologia, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. vbellia@mbox.infcom.it
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bellia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pistelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antonelli-Incalzi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melillo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Olivieri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rengo
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011786:Quality Control; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013147:Spirometry / Q000592:standards*