Fifty-five percent of patients with GD have associated NAFLD. Awareness of this association may result in an earlier diagnosis. The high prevalence of NAFLD in patients with GD may justify routine liver biopsy during cholecystectomy to establish the diagnosis, stage, and possible direct therapy.

Because of the robust adjustment of the present study reference equations for the IOS, it can be recommended for both clinical and research purposes in our population. The differential adjustment of other equations underlines the need to obtain local reference values.

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BACKGROUND: Evidence on the impact of tuberculosis (TB) treatment on lung function is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate post-treatment sequelae in drug-susceptible and drug-resistant-TB (DR-TB) cases in Mexico and Italy.METHODS: At the end of TB treatment the patients underwent complete clinical assessment, functional evaluation of respiratory mechanics, gas exchange and a 6-minute walking test. Treatment regimens (and definitions) recommended by the World Health Organization were used throughout.RESULTS: Of 61 patients, 65.6% had functional impairment, with obstruction in 24/61 patients (39.4%), and 78% with no bronchodilator response. These effects were more prevalent among DR-TB cases (forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC] < lower limit of normality, 14/24 vs. 10/34; P = 0.075). DR-TB patients showed moderately severe (FEV1 < 60%) and severe obstruction (FEV1 < 50%) (P = 0.008). Pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1 and FEV1/FVC (% of predicted) were significantly lower among DR-TB cases. Plethysmography abnormalities (restriction, hyperinflation and/or air trapping) were more frequent among DR-TB cases (P = 0.001), along with abnormal carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) (P = 0.003).CONCLUSION: The majority of TB patients suffer the consequences of post-treatment sequelae (of differing levels), which compromise quality of life, exercise tolerance and long-term prognosis. It is therefore important that lung function is comprehensively evaluated post-treatment to identify patient needs for future medication and pulmonary rehabilitation.

RESUMEN. La espirometría es la prueba de función respiratoria más estandarizada y conocida. Evalúa las propiedades mecánicas del sistema respiratorio y es el estándar de oro para identificar obstrucción al flujo aéreo. Mide flujos y volúmenes de aire exhalado desde una inspiración máxima. La ejecución de la maniobra es sencilla, rápida y no invasiva. Los parámetros funcionales más útiles que se obtienen con la espirometría son la capacidad vital forzada (FVC), el volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (FEV 1 ) y el cociente FEV 1 /FVC. El presente manuscrito resume los estándares mundiales para la realización de la espirometría forzada, adhiriéndose al documento vigente emitido por la Sociedad Americana del Tórax y la Sociedad Respiratoria Europea en el año 2005. Además, incorpora algunas recomendaciones enfocadas a la realización de la espirometría en la evaluación médico ocupacional. Se emiten algunas sugerencias de aplicación local.Palabras clave: Espirometría, procedimiento, función pulmonar, capacidad vital, obstrucción bronquial, asma.ABSTRACT. Forced spirometry is the most highly-standardized and bestknown pulmonary function test, as it evaluates the mechanical properties of the respiratory system and represents the gold standard for diagnosing airflow obstruction. It measures exhaled flows and volumes from a maximum inspiration, and performance of the maneuvers required is simple, quick and non-invasive. The most important parameters obtained by spirometry are: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ), and FEV 1 /FVC ratio. This manuscript contains a review of the current international recommendations for the use of forced spirometry, according to the standardizations published by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society in 2005. In addition, it presents several recommendations for the utilization of this technique in relation to occupational diseases, with suggestions concerning the local application of this procedure.