THE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF SPIROMETRY - IDENTIFYING PATIENTS AT RISK FORLUNG-CANCER IN THE PRIMARY-CARE SETTING

Spirometry can predict lung health and monitor disease and response to therapy. This noninvasive test can and should be done regularly by pr imary care providers. It can identify patients at risk for lung cancer as well as heart attack and stroke. Patients with abnormal spirometri c findings can be warned that airflow obstruction has begun, which may provide the motivation to quit smoking. Abnormal spirometry measureme nts correlate with all-cause mortality. Approaches to early diagnosis of lung cancer continue to expand. For example, use of the new fluores cent bronchoscope can increase diagnostic accuracy in lung cancer by h ighlighting lesions that are malignant. For now, however, identificati on of airflow obstruction with spirometry and follow-up with sputum cy tology provide the widest benefit.