Task force opposes spirometry test for lung disease

AORN Journal, May, 2008

Spirometry tests are ineffective screening tools for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients who do not experience symptoms, according to a March 3, 2008, news release from the US Preventive Services Task Force. Findings indicate the test had Little or no benefit for adults who were screened, and the results were often unreliable.

Spirometry tests may over-diagnose COPD in patients older than the age of 70 and produce false positive diagnoses in younger adults. According to the study, approximately 400 adults ages 60 to 69 would need to be screened to find a single patient who may Later develop COPD symptoms severe enough to require medical treatment.

Most often caused by smoking, COPD is a lung disease that affects breathing and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Diagnosis of COPD through spirometry testing seems to have no effect on the number of patients who quit smoking. Therefore, as an alternative to spirometry tests, the task force encourages clinicians to focus on screening all adults for tobacco use and offer patients assistance to help them quit smoking.

Task Force recommends against screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using spirometry [news release]. Rockville, MD: US Preventive Services Task Force; March 3, 2008.