Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method
Published on: February 2, 2024
Detection and prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a cardiovascular clinic: evaluation using a hand
Hiroshi Wada1, Yasutaka Nakano, Taishi Nagao
1Division of Respiratory and Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan.
Insights
A combination of the PiKo-6 device and a COPD questionnaire effectively screens for undiagnosed COPD in cardiovascular patients. This method offers a feasible approach to identify individuals needing further spirometry testing.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Diagnostic Screening
Background:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global health burden, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality.
- Spirometry is essential for COPD diagnosis but lacks widespread availability, necessitating simpler screening tools.
- Cardiovascular disease patients represent a population at higher risk for undiagnosed COPD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of combining an electronic FEV₁/FEV₆ meter (PiKo-6) with a COPD questionnaire for screening patients with cardiovascular diseases.
- To assess the feasibility of this combined approach in identifying undiagnosed COPD in a cardiovascular outpatient setting.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 753 patients attending a cardiovascular clinic were screened using the PiKo-6 device and the International Primary Care Airways Group COPD questionnaire.
- Airflow limitation was defined as FEV₁/FEV₆ < 70% by PiKo-6; positive screens proceeded to spirometry.
- Correlation analysis was performed between PiKo-6 measurements and standard spirometry results.
Main Results:
- The PiKo-6 identified airflow limitation in 10.9% of patients, with 10.5% assigned to the COPD group.
- PiKo-6 measurements of FEV₁, FEV₆, and FEV₁/FEV₆ showed significant correlations with spirometry-derived FEV₁, FVC, and FEV₁/FVC (r = 0.865, 0.751, 0.57).
- Heart failure and ischemic heart disease were associated with a higher prevalence of airflow limitation (13.8% and 12.5%).
Conclusions:
- The combination of the PiKo-6 device and a COPD questionnaire is a useful and feasible screening strategy.
- This approach can effectively identify patients with undiagnosed COPD in cardiovascular outpatient clinics.
- Early identification facilitates timely diagnosis and management of COPD in at-risk populations.
Background And Objective:
COPD is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its prevalence continues to increase. Although spirometry is indispensable for the diagnosis of COPD, other simple and reliable tools are necessary for screening of COPD because spirometry is not widely available. This study investigated the usefulness of a combination of an electronic FEV₁/FEV₆ meter (PiKo-6) with a COPD questionnaire as a screening method in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Methods:
The PiKo-6 and the COPD questionnaire of the International Primary Care Airways Group were used to screen patients attending a cardiovascular outpatient clinic. Patients with FEV₁/FEV₆ < 70% were defined as having airflow limitation. Patients diagnosed with airflow limitation underwent spirometry. Using data from the PiKo-6 and the COPD questionnaire, patients were assigned to a COPD group or a non-COPD group. The relationship between PiKo-6 measurements and spirometry was also evaluated.
Results:
Among 753 patients, 82 (10.9%) showed airflow limitation when assessed with the PiKo-6. Of these patients, 79 (10.5%) were assigned to the COPD group. FEV₁, FEV₆ and FEV₁/FEV₆, as measured with the PiKo-6, correlated significantly with FEV₁, FVC and FEV₁/FVC, respectively, as measured by spirometry (r = 0.865, 0.751 and 0.57). Among the cardiovascular comorbidities, heart failure and ischaemic heart disease showed slightly stronger associations with airflow limitation (13.8% and 12.5%, respectively).
Conclusions:
Combination of the PiKo-6 with a COPD questionnaire may be a useful and feasible method of identifying undiagnosed COPD patients attending a cardiovascular outpatient clinic.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:19Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD: