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Application of a New Technique (Closing Volume) for the Early Detection of Obstructive Lung Disease in the Elderly *
Author(s) -
DEVINS GEORGE S.,
GUNN WILLIAM S.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1974.tb06272.x
Subject(s) - medicine , airway obstruction , closing (real estate) , pulmonary function testing , lung function , pulmonary disease , lung volumes , airway , cardiology , volume (thermodynamics) , lung , spirometry , surgery , asthma , physics , quantum mechanics , political science , law
A new noninvasive technique (closing volume) for measuring early obstruction of the airways was studied in 47 geriatric patients, and pulmonary function was found to be abnormal in 39 (84 per cent). In 31 (66 per cent) of the 47 patients the conventional spirometric FEF 25–75 method also indicated obstructive airway disease, but in an additional 8 (17 per cent) the closing volume technique indicated small airway obstruction undetectable by other tests. The closing volume method is more sensitive than previous methods and should be used as a routine part of pulmonary function screening. Obstruction of the small airways is more common in the elderly than is realized, and this technique would provide a means for early detection.