The effect of bronchodilators on forced vital capacity measurement in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Forced vital capacity (FVC) is a key measure of disease severity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is an important clinical trial endpoint. We hypothesize that reversible airflow limitation co-exists in a subgroup of patients with IPF, and that bronchodilator use will improve the performance characteristics of FVC.

Methods

IPF patients with pre and post-bronchodilator spirometry testing performed were identified from two tertiary referral cohorts. The difference between pre and post-bronchodilator FVC (intra-test difference) was calculated. The test characteristics of pre and post-bronchodilator FVC change over time (inter-test difference) were assessed in patients with sequential spirometry, and were used to generate sample size estimates f

SUBMITTER: Assayag D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4522344 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature