Attaining a correct diagnosis of COPD in general practice.
BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is common. Diagnosis should include objective evidence of airways obstruction and spirometry is recommended in guidelines and the general medical services contract in the UK. We assessed the impact of spirometry in general practice.


METHODS
We determined by questionnaire the availability, staff training, use and the interpretation results of spirometry in 72% of general practices in Wales. We reviewed the diagnosis of COPD previously made in two general practices without spirometry.


RESULTS
Most practices had a spirometer (82.4%) and used it (85.6%). Confidence in use and interpretation of results varied widely: 58.1% were confident in use and 33.8% confident in interpretation. Spirometry was performed more often if confident in use and interpretation (both P<0.001) and was related to greater training periods (P<0.001). Spirometric confirmation of COPD varied widely (0-100%, median 37%). Of the 125 patients previously diagnosed with COPD 61 had spirometric confirmation, while 25 had reversible obstruction (range 210-800 mls), 34 had normal and 5 had restrictive spirometry.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite incentives to perform spirometry in general practice, lack of adequate training in use and interpretation suggests use is confounded and the diagnosis of COPD is likely to be made on imprecise clinical grounds.
Bolton
C E
CE
Section of Respiratory Medicine and Communicable Diseases, University of Wales College of Medicine, Academic Centre, Llandough Hospital, Penlan Road, Llandough CF64 2XX, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, UK.
Ionescu
A A
AA
Edwards
P H
PH
Faulkner
T A
TA
Edwards
S M
SM
Shale
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology