1. Pulmonary Function Test for COPD Diagnosis

Persistent Empiric COPD Diagnosis and Treatment After Pulmonary Function Test Showed No Obstruction.

BACKGROUND Health-care providers often diagnose and empirically treat COPD without a confirmative pulmonary function test (PFT) or even despite a PFT that is not diagnostic of obstructive lung disease. We hypothesized that a portion of patients continue to carry a persistent empiric COPD diagnosis and receive treatment with bronchodilators and inhaled steroids after a PFT shows no obstruction. ...

The accuracy of FEF25-75/ FVC for primary classification of the pulmonary function test

Introduction: The forced expiratory flow at 25 and 75% of the pulmonary volume/forced vital capacity ratio (FEF25-75/FVC) as a spirometry parameter has been successful in the early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the methacholine challenge test for assessing airway responsiveness.To determine the accuracy of FEF25-7...

Chester step test in patients with COPD: reliability and correlation with pulmonary function test results.

BACKGROUND The 5-stage Chester step test assesses aerobic capacity in healthy subjects. It has not been tested in patients with COPD. OBJECTIVE To determine the reliability of the Chester step test in patients with COPD and correlation with pulmonary function test and exercise test results. METHODS Thirty-two patients (mean ± SD FEV(1) 46 ± 15% of predicted) undertook 2 Chester step tests a...

patho-tb test for the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

background : despite recent technologic improvements in identifying mycobacterium tuberculosis, we are still facing problems in rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis. the objective of this study is to determine the diagnostic value of a new rapid screening test (patho-tb™) for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. methods : between september 2006 to august 2007, 178 patients were enrolled in the study...

Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD