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Longitudinal validity of spirometers--a challenge in longitudinal studies
Nino Künzli1, Birgit Kuna-Dibbert, Dirk Keidel
1Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033-9013, USA. kuenzli@usc.edu
Swiss Medical Weekly
|October 7, 2005
Summary
Pulmonary function testing (PFT) requires consistent spirometer use. Using the same spirometer for follow-up studies ensures reliable lung function measurements over time.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Longitudinal studies rely on repeated pulmonary function testing (PFT) using spirometers.
- Ensuring comparability of PFT results across devices and over time is crucial for clinical and epidemiological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the comparability of PFT results obtained under field conditions using thirteen certified spirometers of varying technology and age.
- To evaluate device consistency for longitudinal studies in air pollution and respiratory health research.
Main Methods:
- Compared Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), and Forced Expiratory Flow 50% (FEF50) using eight Sensormedics 2200, two Sensormedics Vmax, and three volume displacement spirometers.
- Conducted three test series with 46-56 volunteers before and after cohort data collection for SAPALDIA and ECRHS studies.
Main Results:
- Maximal variation across Sensormedics 2200 devices was up to 2.6% for FVC, 2.4% for FEV1, and 2.8% for FEF50, with no systematic differences.
- Results were reproducible between Biomedin, Sensormedics 2200, and 2400 spirometers.
- Newer Sensormedics Vmax devices yielded systematically lower measurements.
Conclusions:
- Spirometer comparison tests with human subjects are essential.
- Recommends using identical spirometers for follow-up studies to maintain data consistency and comparability.