Spirometry News and Research

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Spirometry is a type of pulmonary function test that provides information about the function of the lungs that can be used for a variety of purposes. The test uses a spirometer, a specialized machine with a tube connected, to measure the speed and volume of air that is exhaled into the tube.

Higher pollution levels linked to deteriorating lung health among adult European citizens

New data has identified a clear link between higher levels of exposure to air pollution and deteriorating lung health in adult European citizens. This study confirms previous findings that children growing up in areas with higher levels of pollution will have lower levels of lung function and a higher risk of developing symptoms such as cough and bronchitis symptoms.

6 Sep 2014

LSDF announces $750,000 in Proof of Concept grants to promote health-related technologies

The Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) today announced nearly $750,000 in Proof of Concept grants to Washington state for-profit and non-profit organizations to promote translation of health-related technologies from the laboratory to the commercial marketplace.

4 Sep 2014

COPD overlooked in cardiovascular patients

More than a quarter of patients with cardiovascular disease and a history of smoking also have air flow limitation compatible with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Japanese study data show.

13 Aug 2014

Sanofi, MannKind sign licensing agreement to develop and commercialize Afrezza Inhalation Powder

Sanofi and MannKind Corporation announced today that they have entered into a worldwide exclusive licensing agreement for development and commercialization of Afrezza (insulin human) Inhalation Powder, a new rapid-acting inhaled insulin therapy for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

11 Aug 2014

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease flare-ups: an interview with Dr. MeiLan Han, University of Michigan and Scott Cerreta, Director of Education, COPD Foundation

During a flare-up, symptoms of a patient’s COPD worsen significantly, and breathing becomes more difficult. A persistent increase in shortness of breath, cough and sputum production are typical symptoms.

30 Jul 2014

Study finds deployment-related respiratory symptoms in veterans returning from Iraq, Afghanistan

In a new study of the causes underlying respiratory symptoms in military personnel returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, a large percentage of veterans had non-specific symptoms that did not lead to a specific clinical diagnosis.

3 Jul 2014

Pulmonary abnormalities may be precursor to chronic respiratory disease in Iraq/Afghanistan, Gulf War veterans

Pulmonary function abnormalities may be a precursor to chronic respiratory disease in Iraq/Afghanistan and Gulf War veterans years after their deployment, according to a new study presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

22 May 2014

Study shows commonly used statin drug does not reduce acute COPD exacerbations

A statin drug commonly used to lower cholesterol is not effective in reducing the number and severity of flare ups from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the results of a large multicenter clinical trial designed and directed by Gerard J. Criner, MD, Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

19 May 2014

Children who wheeze are at risk of developing damage that affect lung function

Children who wheeze are at risk of developing damage that will affect their lung function by the age of 6 years, according to researchers at CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital and the University of Montreal.

8 May 2014

Doctors miss opportunities to diagnose COPD at an earlier stage in primary and secondary care

A retrospective study of almost 39,000 patients shows that opportunities to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at an earlier stage are frequently being missed in both primary and secondary care in the UK. The findings, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, reveal missed opportunities to diagnose COPD occurred in up to 85% of people.

17 Feb 2014

Spinal cord injury patients could benefit from careful assessment for sleep apnea

A new study suggests that patients with spinal cord injuries could benefit from careful assessment for sleep apnea.

15 Jan 2014

COPD undertreatment widespread

A study has shown that undertreatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is highly prevalent.

19 Dec 2013

Fat mass not linked to lung function in children with asthma

A study suggests that the relationship between body mass and lung function in children with asthma is more nuanced than previously thought.

16 Dec 2013

Airway alterations present even in young smokers without COPD

A study has found functional and inflammatory changes in the nasal and lower airways of young, healthy smokers in the absence of pulmonary function decline.

12 Dec 2013

Obese patients receive needless respiratory treatment

Research from the USA shows that a substantial proportion of obese patients are prescribed bronchodilators, even after spirometry indicates a lack of lung obstruction.

3 Dec 2013

Call for greater beta blocker use in COPD

Researchers say that stubbornly low rates of beta-blocker prescribing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease could be contributing toward increased mortality in these patients following myocardial infarction.

27 Nov 2013

Chronic bronchitis could indicate COPD subtype

Chronic bronchitis is common among patients with chronic obstructive disease and may represent a subtype of the disease that places patients at risk for increased severity and exacerbations, say researchers.

22 Nov 2013

LLN spirometry inadequate to detect airflow obstruction

Research published in Thorax indicates that use of a lower limit of normal spirometric threshold fails to identify a number of patients with airflow obstruction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

14 Nov 2013

ICS overuse warning in COPD

Researchers from the UK caution that inhaled corticosteroids are being overused in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in light of a lack of solid evidence for their efficacy, limited guideline support, and growing concerns over their association with pneumonia.

11 Nov 2013

COPD–asthma overlap heightens exacerbation risk

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and concomitant asthma have significantly more exacerbations and hospitalizations than patients with COPD alone, research shows.

28 Oct 2013