Simple office spirometry.
Spirometric measurements are as fundamental to medicine as are measurements of pulse, blood pressure, temperature, height, and weight. Spirometric measurements should be considered important vital signs. Any deviations from "normal" measurements can point primary care physicians toward the use of behavioral modification or effective pharmacologic agents to prevent or forestall their patients' premature morbidity and mortality from many disease states, including premature deaths from all causes.
Petty
T L
TL
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and the National Lung Health Education Program, Denver, USA. tlpdoc@aol.com
D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity