Spirometry in primary care for case finding and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease primary care diagnostic technology update.

摘要

An alternative method for detecting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD] is the use of symptom scoring. Pulse oximetry is not useful for the initial diagnosis of COPD, but is used in assessing severity at a later stage of disease. Peak flow is not used to diagnose COPD, but serial measurements may be used in the initial assessment of respiratory symptoms to rule out asthma.