FEVQ: a race-neutral approach to assessing lung function.

Background: Forced expiratory volume in 1 s quotient (FEVQ) is a simple approach to spirometry interpretation that compares measured lung function to a lower boundary. This study evaluated how well FEVQ predicts survival compared with current interpretation methods and whether race impacts FEVQ.

Methods: White and Black adults with complete spirometry and mortality data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database for lung transplant referrals were included.

A reply to questions raised about FEVQ and bronchodilator responsiveness.

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How to account for Inuit ancestry in lung function prediction.

Rigorous lung function prediction equations for the Inuit are lacking. We used spirometry from 351 Inuit and 29 people of other ancestry obtained during an occupational survey in Greenland to determine how to obtain valid lung function predictions for the Inuit using Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) equations for Europeans. Standing height for the Inuit was used in the predictions as well as their height modified in line with the known differences in standing to sitting height ratio (SHR) for the Inuit.

ERS/ATS technical standard on interpretive strategies for routine lung function tests.

Background: Appropriate interpretation of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) involves the classification of observed values as within/outside the normal range based on a reference population of healthy individuals, integrating knowledge of physiological determinants of test results into functional classifications and integrating patterns with other clinical data to estimate prognosis. In 2005, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) jointly adopted technical standards for the interpretation of PFTs. We aimed to update the 2005 recommendations and incorporate evidence from recent literature to establish new standards for PFT interpretation.

Impact of the spirometric definition on comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Little is known about how the spirometric definition of airway obstruction affects the association between COPD and comorbidities and whether these associations might be due to genetic predisposition.

Aim: 1) To examine the impact of the spirometric definition on the associations between COPD and its comorbidities and 2) To examine whether these associations can be explained by shared genetic or environmental factors.

Methods: 11,458 twins, aged 40-80 years, from the Danish Twin Registry were recruited who completed a questionnaire on medical history, life style factors and had a clinical examination.

Reduction in and survival in a clinical population.

Background: How best to express the level of transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide ( ) has not been properly explored.

Methods: We used the most recent clinical data from 13 829 patients (54% male; 10% non-European ancestry; median age 60.5 years, range 20-97 years; median survival 3.

Standardization of Spirometry 2019 Update. An Official American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society Technical Statement.

Spirometry is the most common pulmonary function test. It is widely used in the assessment of lung function to provide objective information used in the diagnosis of lung diseases and monitoring lung health. In 2005, the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society jointly adopted technical standards for conducting spirometry.

Self-reported intake of fruit and vegetables and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A nation-wide twin study.

Background: Although smoking is the major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) many patients with obstructive lung function suggesting COPD are never-smokers. Therefore, other lifestyle factors have been suggested as risk factors.

Aims: i) To examine the association between self-reported intake of fruit and vegetables and risk of COPD and ii) to examine whether the association between these traits are due to underlying genetic factors.

New-onset COPD and Decline in Lung Function Among Wood Dust-Exposed Workers: Re-analysis of a 6-year Follow-up Study.

Objectives: There is a lack of longitudinal studies exploring the association between organic wood dust exposure and new-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and change in lung function. We have re-investigated these associations in a 6-year follow-up cohort of furniture workers exposed to wood dust using improved outcome measures and methods.

Methods: A large follow-up study of 1112 woodworkers (63%) from the Danish furniture industry and 235 controls (57%) was conducted between 1998 and 2004.

Clinical characteristics of patients newly diagnosed with COPD by the fixed ratio and lower limit of normal criteria: a cross-sectional analysis of the TargetCOPD trial.

Background: Consensus on the definition of airflow obstruction to diagnose COPD remains unresolved.

Methods: We undertook systematic case finding for COPD in primary care using the fixed ratio (FR) criterion (forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity [FEV/FVC] <0.7) for defining airflow obstruction and also using the lower limit of normal (LLN).

Lung function discordance in monozygotic twins and associated differences in blood DNA methylation.

Background: Lung function is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality, with accelerated lung function decline reported to have immense consequences for the world's healthcare systems. The lung function decline across individual's lifetime is a consequence of age-related changes in lung anatomical structure and combination of various environmental factors; however, the exact molecular mechanisms contributing to this decline are not fully understood. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that changes across individual's lifetime, as well as allows for interplay between environmental and genetic factors.

The impact of different spirometric definitions on the prevalence of airway obstruction and their association with respiratory symptoms.

The fixed ratio criterion of forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity <0.70 for diagnosing airway obstruction may overdiagnose the condition, particularly in the elderly, so the lower limit of normal (LLN) is recommended as the most appropriate criterion. Our aim was to compare LLN fixed ratio on the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and examine the association between respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction defined by LLN and fixed ratio.