What indications are used for spirometry?
There are multiple patient-symptoms or medical conditions that justify the use of spirometry. A few of the most common indicators include:
- To manage asthma and COPD patients
- Evaluate shortness of breath
- Perform surveillance for occupational-related lung disease
- Evaluate former or current smokers over the age of 45 for COPD
- Classification of COPD. (COPD is an umbrella term that covers multiple respiratory diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF))
- Monitor disease progression
- Measure response and progress due to treatment, medication, and respiratory therapy
- Smoking cessation