Nonspecific Pulmonary Function Test Results

During several years, most patients with nonspecific PFTs didn't evolve to classic obstruction or restriction.

Mayo Clinic researchers previously described, in about 10% of their patients undergoing pulmonary function tests (PFTs), a “nonspecific” pattern — normal total lung capacity and normal ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) to forced vital capacity (FVC), but a low FEV₁ or FVC (or both). This pattern is neither classically obstructive (because of the normal FEV₁/FVC ratio) nor restrictive (because of the normal total lung capacity).

To determine the natural history of nonspecific PFTs, researchers identified 1284 patients with this pattern who had at least one follow-up study. Mean age was 60; half were current or former smokers. On average, patients underwent three tests during 3 years of follow-up. Final PFTs were still nonsp…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose