Source: Annual Congress 2004 - Lung function technology: beyond the basic test
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

Background: Computers can be used for lung function testing but require an additional hardware device; this limits their use in screening. We developed two simple tests that may asses dyspnoea and airflow limitation only through computer‘s display, keyboard and mouse, without the need of additional hardware plugs-in. Aims: To compare the results of computer screen tests (screen forced expiratory time –sFET, and reading aloud time -RAT) with standard spirometry and MRC dyspnoea scores. Methods: 17 healthy subjects and 77 patients with restrictive and obstructive diseases were evaluated for airflow limitation by Jaeger spirometry and for dyspnoea with the MRC scale. Next, subjects were invited to sit in front of a computer and follow the instructions on the screen to self-test, if possible, without additional help. The sFET test asks the patient to measure with a mouse click the duration of a forced expiratory manoeuvre. The RAT test asks the patient to time with a click the duration of reading aloud random numbers in a standard table. Results: sFET correlated significantly with FET (r=0.75, p<0.001) and had a high sensitivity (0.97) but a low specificity (0.25) to suggest an airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC<70%) when compared to standard spirometry. There was no correlation between dyspnoea scores and RAT and no correlations between RAT and spirometry. Conclusion: sFET can offer objective information on airflow limitation in screening; RAT requires further adjustments. sFET may be customised as a simple telemedicine application embedded in education web sites, to encourage standard lung function testing.

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Citations should be made in the following way:
S. Thomas, T. P. Toma, D. Cramer, J. Hodgson, S. Ward (London, United Kingdom). Evaluation of two computer screen tests for self lung function testing. Eur Respir J 2004; 24: Suppl. 48, 2496

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