Measuring lung function using sound waves: role of the forced oscillation technique and impulse oscillometry system

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Respiratory Physiology

Background:

• Lung function measurement is crucial for diagnosing and managing obstructive airways disease (OAD).
• Spirometry is the gold standard for diagnosing conditions like asthma and COPD.
• Effective spirometry requires significant patient cooperation during forceful maneuvers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of lung function tests in OAD management.
• To underscore the limitations of spirometry in specific patient populations.

Main Methods:

• Review of current clinical practices in lung function testing.
• Analysis of spirometry's diagnostic and therapeutic utility.
• Identification of patient groups unable to perform spirometry.

Main Results:

• Spirometry is vital for diagnosis, severity assessment, prognosis, and therapy evaluation in OAD.
• Patient cooperation is essential for accurate spirometry results.
• Certain populations, including young children, the elderly, and individuals with physical or cognitive impairments, face challenges with spirometry.

Conclusions:

• While spirometry is a cornerstone of OAD management, its practical application is limited in certain demographics.
• Alternative or adapted lung function testing methods may be necessary for patients unable to perform spirometry effectively.