Pulmonary function testing & interpretation

the 10 most important diseases in terms of mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs worldwide, the World Health Organization reported four respiratory diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia , tuberculosis, and lung cancer [1]. Th e prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been shown to be fast growing, mainly in the older population [2]. Up to 20% of patients >65 years old are suff ering from some kind of obstructive lung disease. Impairment of lung function is well known to be an important prognostic factor also for a number of nonrespiratory diseases (for example, myocardial infarction or patients on haemo dialysis), and has been shown to be a risk factor for complications in almost every major surgical procedure [3]. However, respiratory diseases in total, and especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are by far underdiagnosed and are an underestimated healthcare problem. Up to one-half of these patients are not diagnosed [4]. Lung function testing is the basis for diagnosing respiratory diseases, but is not a standard procedure in general practice. Th is nonstandardisation is mainly due to the fact that special experience is necessary to perform reliable pulmonary function testing and, more impor tantly, to interpret the results of the tests. In many countries, inter pretation of pulmonary function tests is a minor part of physicians' training programmes and plays a role only for chest physicians. is therefore very welcome. Th e book off ers a comprehensive review in 15 chapters, starting with respiratory physiology, followed by lung function testing methods including body plethysmo-graphy and diff usion capacity measurement, blood gas analysis, and exercise testing. New techniques to assess the eff ects of aerosolised bronchodilator drugs on obstructive airways disease are presented, since current practices fail to identify nearly one-half of the statistically signifi cant responders. Highlights of the textbook are the chapters about new ways of interpreting spirometric values of cigarette smokers, to better identify and inform those who, although still within the wide range of normal, are at increased risk, and 10 interesting clinical cases to guide interpretation of pulmonary function tests. Altogether, this textbook is up to date and off ers a broad and detailed overview in the fi eld of pulmonary function testing. Th e book is not easy to read and I am not sure whether graduate students or residents without any experience in the fi eld might have benefi t. Th is book will be …