Pulmonary function tests including spirometry, lung volumes, measurements of resistance and diffusing capacity are essential in the diagnosis of several pulmonary diseases. These tests are an integral part of the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases, but until now there is no clear evidence for the use of many of the pulmonary function tests because of a lack of adequate studies. The obscurity largely pertains to the conditions under which combinations of the various tests are indicated. Therefore the Belgian Thoracic Society, assembling all pulmonologists and the pneumology LOK/GLEM"s, will investigate this matter.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,000
University Hospital Leuven
Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
pulmonary function tests (spirometry, volumes, resistance and diffusing capacity in that order) on the preferential diagnosis.
To determine the effect of stepwise addition of various pulmonary function tests (spirometry, volumes, resistance and diffusing capacity in that order) on the preferential diagnosis and its reflection of the gold standard (final diagnosis), a statistical score will be calculated based on 1/n differential diagnoses after every pulmonary function test. The score will contain corrections for a high number of differential diagnoses and a wrong preferential diagnosis and compared with Linear mixed model after logistic transformation.
Time frame: end of study
% correct preferential diagnoses
To determine the effect of stepwise addition of various pulmonary function tests (spirometry, volumes, resistance and diffusing capacity in that order) on preferential diagnoses and their reflection of the gold standard (final diagnosis), the number and percentage of correct preferential diagnoses will be analysed after every pulmonary function test and compared by a generalized estimating equation model (GEE)
Time frame: end of study
N differential diagnoses in the subgroup with correct preferential diagnosis
To determine the effect of stepwise addition of various pulmonary function tests (spirometry, volumes, resistance and diffusing capacity in that order) on the number of differential diagnoses and their reflection of the gold standard (final diagnosis), the number of differential diagnoses in patients with correct preferential diagnosis will be analysed after each pulmonary function test and compared with Poisson GEE
Time frame: end of study
subgroup analyses
The primary endpoint (1/n differntial diagnoses) and 2 secondary endpoints (% correct preferential diagnoses, n differential diagnoses within correct preferential diagnosis) will be analysed in subgroups with final gold standard diagnosis of COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease and " no pulmonary abnormality"
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Time frame: end of study
Sensitivity analysis
Primary endpoint (1/n differntial diagnoses) and 2 secondary endpoints (% correct preferential diagnoses, n differential diagnoses within correct preferential diagnosis) and subgroup analyses (asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease and no primary pulmonary abnormality) will be evaluated not only considering final diagnosis as standard but als correct side diagnosis
Time frame: end of study