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Respiratory Research
Published in: Respiratory Research 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Airways resistance and specific conductance for the diagnosis of obstructive airways diseases

Authors: Marko Topalovic, Eric Derom, Christian R. Osadnik, Thierry Troosters, Marc Decramer, Wim Janssens, on behalf of the Belgian Pulmonary Function Study Investigators

Published in: Respiratory Research | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Airway resistance (RAW) and specific airway conductance (sGAW) are measures that reflect the patency of airways. Little is known of the variability of these measures between different lung diseases. This study investigated the contribution of RAW and sGAW to a diagnosis of obstructive airways disease and their role in differentiating asthma from COPD.

Methods

976 subjects admitted for the first time to a pulmonary practice in Belgium were included. Clinical diagnoses were based on complete pulmonary function tests and supported by investigations of physicians’ discretion. 651 subjects had a final diagnosis of obstructive diseases, 168 had another respiratory disease and 157 subjects had no respiratory disease (healthy controls).

Results

RAW and sGAW were significantly different (p < 0.0001) between obstructive and other groups. Abnormal RAW and sGAW were found in 39 % and 18 % of the population, respectively, in which 81 % and 90 % had diagnosed airway obstruction. Multiple regression revealed sGAW to be a significant and independent predictor of an obstructive disorder. To differentiate asthma from COPD, RAW was found to be more relevant and statistically significant. In asthma patients with normal FEV1/FVC ratio, both RAW and sGAW were more specific than sensitive diagnostic tests in differentiating asthma from healthy subjects.

Conclusions

RAW and sGAW are significant factors that contribute to the diagnosis and differentiation of obstructive airways diseases.
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Metadata
Title
Airways resistance and specific conductance for the diagnosis of obstructive airways diseases
Authors
Marko Topalovic
Eric Derom
Christian R. Osadnik
Thierry Troosters
Marc Decramer
Wim Janssens
on behalf of the Belgian Pulmonary Function Study Investigators
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Respiratory Research / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1465-993X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-015-0252-0

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