Occupational Asthma Reference

Sumner J, Robinson E, Bradshaw L, Lewis L, Warren N, Young C, Fishwick D, Underestimation of spirometry if recommended testing guidance is not followed, Occup Med, 2018;68:126-128,https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqy007

Keywords: UK, FEV!, quality, reproducability

Known Authors

David Fishwick, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK David Fishwick

Lisa Bradshaw, Health and Safety Laboratories Lisa Bradshaw

Ed Robinson, Health and Safety Laboratories, Buxton, UK Ed Robinson

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Abstract

Background
Lung function measured at work is used to make important employment decisions. Improving its quality will reduce misclassification and allow more accurate longitudinal interpretation over time.

Aims
To assess the amount by which lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] and forced vital capacity [FVC]) values will be underestimated if recommended spirometry testing guidance is not followed.

Methods
Lung function was measured in a population of workers. Knowledge of the final reproducible FEV1 and FVC for each worker allowed estimation of the underestimates that would have occurred if less forced manoeuvres than recommended had been performed.

Results
A total of 667 workers (661 males, mean age 43 years, range 18–66) participated. Among them, 560 (84%) achieved reproducible results for both FEV1 and FVC; 470 (84%) of these did so after three technically acceptable forced expiratory manoeuvres, a cumulative total of 533 after four, 548 after five, 557 after six, 559 after seven and 560 after eight blows. If only one (or first two) technically acceptable blow(s) had been performed, mean underestimates were calculated for FEV1 of 115.1 ml (35.4 ml) and for FVC of 143.4 ml (42.3 ml).

Conclusions
In this study, reproducible spirometry was achievable in most workers. Not adhering to standards underestimates lung function by clinically significant amounts.

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