Article CommentaryCommentary

Spirometry interpretation in primary care

Anthony D. D’Urzo
Canadian Family Physician October 2011; 57 (10) 1122;

The role of spirometry in primary care continues to evolve with increasing peer-reviewed support for its use as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.1,2 Despite the availability of affordable hand-held spirometers, spirometry remains largely underused in primary care.3 Barriers to implementation include time constraints, quality control, and the challenges of interpreting spirometric data.2

In this issue of Canadian Family Physician, members of the Primary Care Respiratory Alliance of Canada discuss how 2 different spirometry interpretation algorithms influence interpretation of the same spirometric data and how this can lead to disease misclassification (pages 1148 and 1153).4,5 The articles describe a new algorithm that builds on principles of an existing algorithm endorsed by the Ontario Thoracic Society,4 and critically appraise the older algorithm to highlight some important limitations and inconsistencies with current guidelines on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management.6,7 Caregivers can use the new algorithm as a stand-alone document to manage patients with respiratory complaints, with a view to minimizing disease misclassification.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests

    None declared

  • The opinions expressed in commentaries are those of the authors. Publication does not imply endorsement by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

References

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    . Limitations to a spirometry interpretation algorithm. Can Fam Physician 2011;57:1153-6.
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    1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
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Spirometry interpretation in primary care
Anthony D. D’Urzo
Canadian Family Physician Oct 2011, 57 (10) 1122;
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