(NORTHBROOK, IL, April 12, 2004) - Spirometry testing in a primary care setting significantly improves early identification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), says a study published in the April issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. The study found that by using spirometry, the gold standard for diagnosing COPD, primary care physicians nearly doubled the number of "known" COPD cases. In addition, of all newly diagnosed cases of COPD, 42 percent would have remained undetected without the use of spirometry. COPD, which includes the conditions of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is characterized by obstruction of airflow and gradual loss of lung function that is irreversible.

"Although there is no cure for COPD, early detection is important for effective disease management," said Johan Buffels, MD, Katholieke University, Leuven, Belgium. "A predominant number of patients with early stage COPD receive initial medical care through primary care physicians; however, many remain undiagnosed because their physicians do not regularly screen for the disease. Without the use of spirometry by primary care physicians, nearly half of our patients with COPD will remain undiagnosed."

In the study known as the DIDASCO project, researchers from Katholieke University compared the effectiveness and accuracy of office spirometry and a screening questionnaire as used by primary care physicians to detect early stages of COPD. Primary care physicians, trained in the use of spirometry and the management of COPD and asthma, screened a total of 3,408 patients between the ages of 35 and 70 over a 12-week period. Of the patients screened, 250 were currently using bronchodilators and/or inhaled steroids, indicating a "known" condition of either asthma or COPD. The remaining 3,158 patients completed a screening questionnaire that identified 728 patients as having signs or symptoms suggesting a cond
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Contact: Arielle Green
agreen@chestnet.org
847-498-8387
American College of Chest Physicians
12-Apr-2004

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