Spirometry test – A pulmonary function test

What is a Spirometry test?

• This is a basic technique to accurately assess the function of your lung. A spirometry test can help diagnose the severity of many respiratory diseases.
• This technique is performed at the Laboratory of Respiratory Function of the Polyclinic of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine.

When should a spirometry test be indicated?

1. For diagnosing: In patients with abnormal clinical symptoms and abnormal test results:

• Clinical symptoms:
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Sitting to relieve breathlessness
  • Difficulty in expiratory
  • Chronic cough with or without sputum
  • Chest abnormality
• Subclinical tests:
  • Hypoxemia
  • Increase in blood CO2
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Abnormal chest X-ray

b. For monitoring the progression of disease, evaluating the response to treatment: In patients with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), restrictive lung disease.

c. For screening: In patients who have following risk factors:

• Smoking
• Working in a place with smoke and exhausted fumes such as chemical toxics,…

d. For pre-workout health assessment

Contraindications: People with following factors are not allowed to have a spirometry test:

1. Acute inflammation of the respiratory tract.
2. Coughing up blood for unknown reasons.
3. Aneurysm of the thoracic aorta and/or the abdominal aorta.
4. Recent exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma for less than 6 weeks before the test.
5. Having myocardial infarction, eye surgery, abdomen, chest surgery for less than 3-6 months before the test.
6. Chest pain, with unknown diagnosis.
7. Having unstable angina for less than 24 hours before the test.
8. Having progressive pulmonary tuberculosis

What should be done to prepare before a spirometry test?

1. Wearing loose-fitting clothes.
2. No smoking for 1 hour before the test.
3. No alcohol drinking for 4 hours before the test
4. No hard exercise for 30 minutes before the test
5. No full meal eating for 2 hours before the test
6. Some notices for patients who have spirometry for the first time diagnosis:

• Do not use bronchodilators before the test (for at least 6 hours with short-acting; 12 hours with long-acting; 24 hours with an oral pill such as theophylline.)

Source: MSc. Vo Van Tinh, Laboratory of Respiratory Function, General Clinic, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine.