Spirometry remains an important pulmonary function test for the diagnosis, assessment, and follow-up of obstructive airway diseases. However, performing acceptable spirometry can be challenging for some patients, particularly those experiencing cough or dyspnea. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Advanced Lung Health explored the role of lung oscillometry in adult asthmatic patients who were unable to perform spirometry.
The study evaluated 100 adult patients diagnosed with asthma who could not perform spirometry because of cough or dyspnea. Lung oscillometry was performed using Antlia Pro, Icaltech, India, following European Respiratory Society (ERS) specifications and standards.
Unlike forced expiratory maneuvers, oscillometry requires only tidal-volume breathing, meaning minimal patient effort is needed. The technique measures respiratory resistance and reactance, providing information about airway mechanics. Parameters such as R5, R19, R5–R19, X5, Ax, and Fres can help characterize airway obstruction.
In the study, 42% of patients met the recommended R5 cutoff for airway obstruction. When obstruction was defined using any one of the resistance parameters, 71% of patients were identified as having airway obstruction. Reactance abnormalities were also observed frequently, with Ax abnormal in 99% and Fres exceeding the cutoff in all 100 patients.
Notably, Ax demonstrated a strong correlation with R5 (0.867, P = 0.001). The authors concluded that Ax may be a useful lung oscillometric parameter for clinicians managing patients with asthma.
These findings highlight the potential role of lung oscillometry as a practical option when acceptable spirometry cannot be performed. Antlia Pro brings FOT-based lung oscillometry into clinical practice, helping clinicians assess respiratory mechanics with minimal patient effort.
Source: Balachandran J. Lung Oscillometry: A Practical Solution for Overcoming Spirometry Challenges. Journal of Advanced Lung Health, 2024. DOI: 10.4103/jalh.jalh_29_24.