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Pulmonary Function Tests in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM,volume 9))

Abstract

It is generally acknowledged that in interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary function tests (PFTs) reflect the histologic severity of disease more closely than plain chest radiography or symptoms [1]. It is not known whether PFTs are more accurate than high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in this regard, but the exact quantification of the morphologic extent of disease on HRCT is not practicable in routine practice. Thus, the measurement of PFT has been central to the evaluation of disease severity in ILD in general and in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in particular.

The primary roles of PFT estimation in IPF have been to quantify disease at baseline (both as continuous variables and in disease staging) and to detect changes in disease severity during follow-up. Also covered in this chapter are the ancillary uses of PFT to detect the presence of disease and the range of patterns of functional impairment in IPF (including the deconstruction of complex PFT impairment due to coexistent disease processes). Exercise testing, quality assurance, and the performance of fitness-to-fly tests are also reviewed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Emmanuel Kaye Building, Manresa Rd., Chelsea, London, SW3 6LR, UK

    Athol U. Wells M.D.

  2. Lung Function Unit, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, London, UK

    Simon Ward B.Sc., Hons.

Authors
  1. Athol U. Wells M.D.
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  2. Simon Ward B.Sc., Hons.
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Correspondence to Athol U. Wells M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Internal Medicine, Sect. Allergy Pulmonary & Critical Care Med., University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Keith C. Meyer

  2. Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Program, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA

    Steven D. Nathan

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Wells, A.U., Ward, S. (2014). Pulmonary Function Tests in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. In: Meyer, K., Nathan, S. (eds) Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Respiratory Medicine, vol 9. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-682-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-682-5_6

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