Research
Marko Topalovic1, Eric Derom2, Christian R. Osadnik3456, Thierry Troosters13, Marc Decramer1, Wim Janssens1* andon behalf of the Belgian Pulmonary Function Study Investigators
Abstract
Background
Airway resistance (R AW ) and specific airway conductance (sG AW ) are measures that reflect the patency of airways. Little is known of the variability of these measures between different lung diseases. This study investigated the contribution of R AW and sG AW to a diagnosis of obstructive airways disease and their role in differentiating asthma from COPD.
Methods
976 subjects admitted for the first time to a pulmonary practice in Belgium were included. Clinical diagnoses were based on complete pulmonary function tests and supported by investigations of physicians’ discretion. 651 subjects had a final diagnosis of obstructive diseases, 168 had another respiratory disease and 157 subjects had no respiratory disease (healthy controls).
Results
R AW and sG AW were significantly different (p < 0.0001) between obstructive and other groups. Abnormal R AW and sG AW were found in 39 % and 18 % of the population, respectively, in which 81 % and 90 % had diagnosed airway obstruction. Multiple regression revealed sG AW to be a significant and independent predictor of an obstructive disorder. To differentiate asthma from COPD, R AW was found to be more relevant and statistically significant. In asthma patients with normal FEV 1 /FVC ratio, both R AWand sG AW were more specific than sensitive diagnostic tests in differentiating asthma from healthy subjects.
Conclusions
R AW and sG AW are significant factors that contribute to the diagnosis and differentiation of obstructive airways diseases.
Keywords:
Body-plethysmography; Airway resistance; Pulmonary function tests; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Asthma
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