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.

COPD exacerbations accelerate lung decline

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exacerbations accelerated lung function loss, according to a new study presented at the ATS 2016 International Conference. The effect was particularly prominent in those with mild disease.

17 May 2016

Study shows half of smokers experience respiratory symptoms similar to COPD

A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that smokers, who wouldn't typically be diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are still showing symptoms consistent with the diagnosis.

17 May 2016

Researchers develop SpiroCall that can accurately measure lung function over simple phone call

Most people in the developing world who have asthma, cystic fibrosis or other chronic lung diseases have no way to measure how well their lungs are functioning outside of a clinic or doctor visit.

3 May 2016

USPSTF does not recommend screening for COPD

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in persons who do not have symptoms suggestive of COPD. The report appears in the April 5 issue of JAMA.

6 Apr 2016

Patients with COPD show decreased gray matter volume in certain areas of the brain

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a condition impacting nearly 24 million Americans, is often associated with disease-specific fears and avoidance of physical activity. Little is known of the structural brain processes that occur in COPD patients. A study published in the February issue of the journal CHEST found that patients with COPD demonstrated gray matter decreases in areas of the brain that process breathlessness, fear and sensitivity to pain.

9 Feb 2016

New diagnostic method shows COPD risk higher for women

Researchers from Lund University Sweden have through a new diagnostic method been able to show that the risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease could be twice as high for women as it is for men.

19 Jan 2016

Researchers compare effectiveness of combination therapy for black patients with asthma

Among black adults with asthma treated with an inhaled corticosteroid, adding a long-acting beta-agonist did not improve the time to an asthma exacerbation compared with adding the anticholinergic tiotropium, according to a study in the October 27 issue of JAMA.

28 Oct 2015

EU provides €3 million to support research on chronic lung disease

Researchers from Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry are part of an international consortium which has received funding of almost €3 million from the EU Horizon 2020 programme, to investigate methods to prevent, diagnose and treat non-communicable lung disease (such as asthma and chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder - COPD) in low and middle income countries.

5 Oct 2015

New OTEMTO phase three results show potential improvement to quality of life for COPD patients

Boehringer Ingelheim announced the publication of new data from the Phase IIIb OTEMTO® 1&2 trials (NCT01964352/NCT02006732), which show Spiolto® Respimat® (tiotropium/olodaterol) provides consistent, clinically meaningful improvements in quality of life versus placebo in patients with COPD

17 Aug 2015

Challenge remains for early COPD detection in primary care

Exhaled carbon monoxide testing in primary care has no effect on patient acceptance of screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, research shows.

29 May 2015

GOLD 2007 and 2011 fail to accurately predict mortality risk

Neither the 2007 nor the 2011 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease classification systems have sufficient prognostic accuracy to predict mortality, a pooled analysis of individual patient data shows.

27 May 2015

Two-drug combination improves lung function in some cystic fibrosis patients

The combination of two drugs — an investigational drug used in conjunction with an already FDA-approved medication — improved lung function in patients with one form of cystic fibrosis, according to two new studies.

19 May 2015

Regular use of aspirin may slow the progression of early emphysema, new research shows

Regular use of aspirin may help slow the progression of early emphysema, according to new research presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

18 May 2015

Spirometry underutilized for asthma management in U.S. adults

Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have found, for the first time, that spirometry was underutilized for asthma diagnosis and management in U.S. adults from 2001 to 2011, despite it's accuracy, cost effectiveness and the publication of national guidelines advocating its use.

5 May 2015

Study examines association between marijuana use and measures of lung health

A research study based on analysis of publicly available data has found that recent marijuana use was associated with symptoms of airway inflammation, but that moderate lifetime use was not associated with clinically significant changes in measures of lung function.

31 Jan 2015

FIRS mobilizes members to raise awareness on COPD

On World COPD Day (19 November 2014), the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) is mobilizing its members to raise awareness of the disease and help prevent the risk factors that cause it.

21 Nov 2014

Spirometry fails to improve quality of life in asthmatic children

The results of two cluster randomised controlled trials in young asthma patients reveal that regular spirometry and medical review do not significantly affect asthma-related quality of life, report Australian researchers.

31 Oct 2014

Expert creates new evidence-based guideline for managing sickle cell disease

An expert panel has created a new evidence-based guideline for managing sickle cell disease (SCD), with a strong recommendation for the use of the drug hydroxyurea and transfusion therapy for many individuals with SCD, although high-quality evidence is limited, with few randomized clinical trials conducted for this disease, according to an article in the September 10 issue of JAMA.

10 Sep 2014

Ornamental birds and exposure to pigeons may contribute to hypersensitive pneumonitis

Ornamental birds and feather pillows, plus daily exposure to pigeons may contribute to the development hypersensitive pneumonitis, a disease that can cause irreversible damage to the lungs.

9 Sep 2014