The Pune based Chest Research Foundation (CRF) in collaboration with Cipla had recently conducted a nationwide spirometry camp to sensitise the masses on the significance of spirometry amongst the lay population. The study found that the reason being most of the cases go undiagnosed early is because of lack of use of spirometry.

Research studies done by CRF from  spirometry camp revealed that 6.4 per cent of all the people who underwent spirometry were found to have obstructed airways, which are seen in cases of asthma and COPD. Only 24 per cent of these patients were aware that they have either asthma or COPD. 34 per cent people had obstruction of the small airways on spirometry which is a strong indicator of early asthma and COPD.

This nationwide camp conducted by CRF  has reiterated this fact where 76 per cent were diagnosed to have obstructive airways diseases for the first time. Of all the people who underwent spirometry, 28.5 per cent had cough; 30.6 per cent had breathlessness and 16.5 per cent had a wheeze and almost 35 per cent in each symptom group were found to have airways obstruction, either early or advanced on spirometry. Thus, even in case of long standing cough, a spirometry can detect airways obstruction.

The camp is organised to commemorate the first ever World Spirometry Day on October 14, 2010, which is being observed by respiratory and chest societies all over the world to raise awareness on lung health. The nationwide two day spirometry camp screened 1700 people at major cities like Pune, Maharashtra; Chennai and Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu; Kolkata and  Howrah West Bengal; and Jaipur and Kota Rajasthan.

Spirometry is a diagnostic tool to detect the signs of lung diseases like asthma and COPD. The Spirometry test is done to measure how much air your lungs can hold and how efficiently the air moves in and out of your lungs. It gives a good indication of your lung power and gives you accurate details about your breathing capacity. Spirometry not only diagnoses the obstructive airways diseases, but can also decide the severity of the disease which acts as a guideline for doctors on what medicines to start for the treatment.

Spirometry helps to detect whether the treatment undergone by patient is improving and helps in differentiating between asthma and COPD; and detect restrictive lung diseases, obstruction in the large airways and can also calculate the lung age. Calculation of lung age is especially important for smokers since their lungs become older much faster as compared to the rest of the body. This actually acts as a motivating factor for smokers to quit smoking. Spirometry also helps doctors decide the risk of surgery involved in case of major abdominal and thoracic surgery.