Role of pulmonary function testing in inflammatory bowel diseases (Review)

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pulmonology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic gastrointestinal inflammation with unclear causes.
• IBD can present with extra-intestinal manifestations, including potential respiratory system involvement.
• Previous studies explored pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in IBD patients, but a comprehensive summary was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To consolidate and review all types of PFTs utilized in patients diagnosed with IBD.
• To assess the current evidence regarding PFT alterations in IBD and their correlation with disease activity.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on PFTs in IBD patients.
• Analysis of various PFT parameters, including spirometry and diffusing capacity.
• Examination of data concerning the relationship between PFT results and IBD disease activity.

Main Results:

• The most frequent PFT abnormality observed in IBD patients (adults and children) is reduced diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide.
• PFT abnormalities can occur in IBD patients without overt clinical or radiological signs of respiratory disease.
• Evidence linking other PFT alterations, particularly spirometric values, to IBD disease activity remains inconsistent.

Conclusions:

• PFTs may serve as a valuable tool for identifying subclinical respiratory involvement in individuals with IBD.
• The association between PFT abnormalities and IBD disease activity is not consistently established across all tested parameters.
• Further research is needed to clarify the role of specific PFTs in monitoring respiratory health in IBD management.