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This Article Full Text (PDF) Free Online-only tables All Versions of this Article: chest.06-1998v1 132/2/388    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Article Archive Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jensen, R. L. Articles by Crapo, R. O. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jensen, R. L. Articles by Crapo, R. O. Related Content Related Article Related Editorial

Instrument Accuracy and Reproducibility in Measurements of Pulmonary Function

¹LDS Hospital and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA ²Pfizer Global Research and Development, Groton, CT, USA

ldrjens1{at}ihc.com

Abstract

BackgroundThe objective of the study was to quantify the accuracy and reproducibility of five commercially available pulmonary function test instruments (Collins CPL; Morgan Transflow Test PFT System; SensorMedics Vmax 22D; Jaeger USA Masterscreen Diffusion TP; Medical Graphics Profiler DX^TM System) associated with the measurement of spirometry and pulmonary diffusing capacity.

MethodsIn a multifactor, single-center, repeated measures full factorial 90-day study, a pulmonary waveform generator and single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL_CO) simulator were used to perform simulations of forced vital capacity (FVC) and DL_CO maneuvers. Accuracy was assessed as the difference between observed and simulated values. Reproducibility was determined as the coefficient of variation of all measurements during the study.

ResultsAll instruments demonstrated high degrees of accuracy in the measurement of FVC and forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV₁). Overall, the accuracies associated with measurement of peak flow, forced mid expiratory flow (FEF)_{25- 75%} and diffusing capacity were generally lower and more variable among the instruments tested. The coefficients of variation of DL_CO measurements over 90 days were higher than those observed for spirometry.

ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the feasibility of assessing the accuracy and reproducibility of modern pulmonary function test instruments using simulation testing. Our results provide an assessment of the component of pulmonary function test accuracy and reproducibility that is due to instrumentation alone.

Key Words: DL_CO simulator • pulmonary function testing • pulmonary waveform generator

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