Functional respiratory assessment in interstitial lung disease
Miguel-Reyes, J.é L.; Gochicoa-Rangel, L.; Pérez-Padilla, R.; Torre-Bouscoulet, L.
Revista de Investigacion Clinica; Organo del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion 67(1): 5-14
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-8376 PMID: 25857578 Document Number: 685346
Interstitial lung diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect, to a greater or lesser degree, the alveolus, peripheral airway, and septal interstitium. Functional assessment in patients suspected of having an interstitial lung disease has implications for diagnosis and makes it possible to objectively analyze both response to treatment and prognosis. Recently the clinical value of lung-diffusing capacity and the six-minute walking test has been confirmed, and these are now important additions to the traditional assessment of lung function that is based on spirometry. Here we review the state-of-the-art methods for the assessment of patients with interstitial lung disease.