TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality control of spirometry in the elderly
T2 - The SA.R.A. study
AU - Bellia, Vincenzo
AU - Pistelli, Riccardo
AU - Catalano, Filippo
AU - Antonelli-Incalzi, Raffaele
AU - Grassi, Vittorio
AU - Melillo, Gaetano
AU - Olivieri, Dario
AU - Rengo, Franco
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - We evaluated the outcome of the spirometry quality control program of the SA.R.A. multicenter project, the aim of which is the multidimensional assessment of asthma and COPD in the elderly (≥ 65 yr). The factors determining this quality were also evaluated. The program was based on standardized procedures (ATS recommendations), performed by specifically trained and certified personnel; a fully-computerized spirometer with customized software was used for spirometry. A reference center made monthly controls. Overall, 638 cases and 984 controls were examined. Spirometric measurements were obtained in 607 cases and 912 controls; 508 and 747 tests with at least three acceptable curves were obtained in cases and in controls, respectively (NS). The percentage of reproducible tests ranged between 95.8% for FEV1 in controls and 87.6% for FVC in cases. The average reproducibility for FEV1 was 61.6 ml in cases and 58.3 ml in controls (NS). Cognitive impairment, shorter 6-min walk distance, and lower educational level were found to be independent risk factors for a poorer acceptability rate (logistic regression analysis). Male sex and age were risk factors for a poorer reproducibility of FEV1. Reproducibility tended to improve with time (p <0.001). Although spirometry becomes increasingly difficult in aging patients, a rigorous quality control program can ensure that reliable data are obtained in the majority of patients.
AB - We evaluated the outcome of the spirometry quality control program of the SA.R.A. multicenter project, the aim of which is the multidimensional assessment of asthma and COPD in the elderly (≥ 65 yr). The factors determining this quality were also evaluated. The program was based on standardized procedures (ATS recommendations), performed by specifically trained and certified personnel; a fully-computerized spirometer with customized software was used for spirometry. A reference center made monthly controls. Overall, 638 cases and 984 controls were examined. Spirometric measurements were obtained in 607 cases and 912 controls; 508 and 747 tests with at least three acceptable curves were obtained in cases and in controls, respectively (NS). The percentage of reproducible tests ranged between 95.8% for FEV1 in controls and 87.6% for FVC in cases. The average reproducibility for FEV1 was 61.6 ml in cases and 58.3 ml in controls (NS). Cognitive impairment, shorter 6-min walk distance, and lower educational level were found to be independent risk factors for a poorer acceptability rate (logistic regression analysis). Male sex and age were risk factors for a poorer reproducibility of FEV1. Reproducibility tended to improve with time (p <0.001). Although spirometry becomes increasingly difficult in aging patients, a rigorous quality control program can ensure that reliable data are obtained in the majority of patients.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034057268&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0034057268&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 10764296
AN - SCOPUS:0034057268
VL - 161
SP - 1094
EP - 1100
JO - American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
JF - American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
SN - 1073-449X
IS - 4 I
ER -