[Annual advances in clinical applications of pulmonary function testing 2025]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Respiratory Physiology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are crucial for diagnosing and managing respiratory diseases.
• Continuous advancements in PFT research and clinical applications necessitate regular updates and synthesis of knowledge.
• International guidelines and domestic consensus reports shape the current standards for PFT utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and critically appraise global and domestic advancements in PFT research and clinical applications from October 2024 to September 2025.
• To interpret key recommendations from major guidelines, including the GOLD 2025 report and Chinese expert consensuses.
• To explore technological integrations and innovations enhancing PFT accuracy, accessibility, and predictive capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Systematic synthesis and critical appraisal of domestic and international literature on PFTs.
• Analysis of published Chinese guidelines and expert consensuses on PFTs.
• Review of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2025 report and related materials.
• Examination of studies on PFT reference equations, technological integrations (e.g., EIT, CT, AI), and new equipment.

Main Results:

• Publication of significant Chinese guidelines on fractional exhaled nitric oxide, pediatric diffusing capacity, and primary care PFTs.
• Release of the GOLD 2025 report, detailing updated workflows, diagnostic criteria, and life-course trajectories for pulmonary function.
• Development of ethnicity- and region-specific reference equations (e.g., for Chinese children and high-altitude populations), addressing limitations of global equations.
• Integration of advanced technologies like Electrical Impedance Tomography, CT imaging, lung ultrasound, and AI for enhanced PFT interpretation and disease prediction.
• Introduction of domestically produced PFT equipment, improving accessibility and reducing costs.

Conclusions:

• Recent advancements in PFTs, including updated guidelines and personalized reference equations, offer improved diagnostic precision.
• Technological innovations, particularly AI, are transforming PFT applications, enabling better disease prediction and clinical decision-making.
• The development and adoption of new PFT technologies and equipment in China are enhancing the accessibility and scope of respiratory assessments.