Addressing Reduced Laboratory-Based Pulmonary Function Testing During a Pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Respiratory Diagnostics
• Digital Health

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic necessitates reduced capacity in pulmonary function testing (PFT) laboratories.
• Mitigation strategies for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may persist for 6-18 months.
• Reduced objective lung function measurements impact chronic respiratory disease diagnosis and care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore traditional and innovative alternatives to conventional PFT.
• To identify novel approaches for remote lung function measurement in respiratory patients.
• To address barriers and opportunities presented by the pandemic for augmenting PFT.

Main Methods:

• Review of traditional PFT methods (spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity).
• Exploration of innovative alternatives: peak expiratory flow devices, portable spirometers, exhaled nitric oxide measurement, airwave oscillometry.
• Consideration of digital health tools: smartphone spirometers, mobile health technologies, and machine learning integration.

Main Results:

• Novel approaches may replace or improve existing PFT management strategies and diagnostic paradigms.
• Technical, privacy, ethical, financial, and medicolegal barriers require careful consideration.
• The pandemic offers a unique opportunity to integrate remote lung function testing.

Conclusions:

• Innovative remote PFT methods can augment conventional testing during and beyond the pandemic.
• Adoption of novel approaches has the potential to enhance respiratory care.
• Remote testing can empower patient self-management for chronic respiratory conditions.