Clinical challenges in applying the new lung function test interpretive strategies: navigating pitfalls and possible solutions

Extract The European Respiratory Society (ERS)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently released updated interpretive strategies for routine pulmonary function tests (PFTs) [1] building upon their previous standardisation document [2]. Although some authors have already discussed the advantages and drawbacks of these new strategies [3], there remain several unclear points that require to be clarified. The published document proposes two interpretative flow charts and some tables [1], which lack integration and contradict each other at times, leading to confusion. For instance, a scenario in which the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio falls below normal while the FEV1 value remains within normal limits.
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Research letters Source Type: research