title: The majority of participants with abnormal spirometry at walk-in consult their general practitioner as recommended.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of studies inviting citizens to perform spirometry without need for a previous appointment have been performed to determine the need for general screening of the population for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Yet, no studies have examined how many of the participants follow the advice given to consult their general practitioner (GP) afterwards.
  
  
  METHODS
  A walk-in spirometry was carried out on the island of Laesoe. All habitants above the age of 18 years were invited. In total, 142 were eligible for the study. Participants with an abnormal spirometry were recommended to consult their GP immediately, whereas smokers with symptoms, but with a normal spirometry, were recommended to consult their GP within a year for another spirometry. A follow-up was performed to investigate whether the participants had followed this advice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 52% (74/142) of the participants were advised to contact their GP: 34 due to an abnormal spirometry and 40 due to smoking and respiratory symptoms. Among the participants with an abnormal spirometry, 79% saw their GP within three months, whereas 30% of the current smokers saw their GP within 9-15 months. Lung disease was diagnosed in 56% (19/34) of the participants who initially had an abnormal spirometry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the participants who had an abnormal spirometry at screening, 79% consulted their GP as recommended. Furthermore, 52% of the participants who had an abnormal spirometry were subsequently diagnosed with pulmonary disease by their GP. We conclude that walk-in spirometry is a useful tool for early diagnosis of COPD.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  none.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: line@augustson.dk.
authors.forename: Line
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kølner-Augustson
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thøgersen
authors.forename: Thea Heide
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Faaborg
authors.forename: Ulla Møller
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Weinreich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003718:Denmark; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013147:Spirometry; D055815:Young Adult