Diagnostic Potential of Oscillometry: A Population-based Approach

Abstract

Rationale Respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) as measured by oscillometry and their intrabreath changes have emerged as sensitive parameters for detecting early pathological impairments during tidal breathing. Objectives This study evaluates the prevalence and association of abnormal oscillometry parameters with respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases in a general adult population. Methods A total of 7,560 subjects in the Austrian LEAD (Lung, hEart, sociAl, boDy) Study with oscillometry measurements (computed with the Resmon Pro FULL; Restech Srl) were included in this study. The presence of respiratory symptoms and doctor-diagnosed respiratory diseases was assessed using an interview-based questionnaire. Rrs and Xrs at 5 Hz, their inspiratory and expiratory components, the area above the Xrs curve, and the presence of tidal expiratory flow limitation were analyzed. Normality ranges for oscillometry parameters were defined. Measurements and Main Results The overall prevalence of abnormal oscillometry parameters was 20%. The incidence of abnormal oscillometry increased in the presence of symptoms or diagnoses: 17% (16–18%) versus 27% (25–29%), P < 0.0001. All abnormal oscillometry parameters except Rrs at 5 Hz were significantly associated with respiratory symptoms/diseases. Significant associations were found, even in subjects with normal spirometry, with abnormal oscillometry incidence rates increasing by 6% (4–8%; P < 0.0001) in subjects with symptoms or diagnoses. Conclusions Abnormal oscillometry parameters are present in one-fifth of this adult population and are significantly associated with respiratory symptoms and disease. Our findings underscore the potential of oscillometry as a tool for detecting and evaluating respiratory impairments, even in individuals with normal spirometry.

The role of oscillometry in asthma

“…Despite these limitations, oscillometry performs well to delineate healthy individuals from those with lung disease. In a recent large observational study of adults in the general population, abnormal oscillometry was significantly associated with self-reported respiratory symptoms and diagnoses [12 ▪▪ ]. Although a single abnormal oscillometry variable may indicate lung pathology, the combination of multiple abnormal indices more strongly correlates with symptoms and respiratory disease in large cross-sectional studies [12 ▪▪ ,13 ▪ ].…”

“…In a recent large observational study of adults in the general population, abnormal oscillometry was significantly associated with self-reported respiratory symptoms and diagnoses [12 ▪▪ ]. Although a single abnormal oscillometry variable may indicate lung pathology, the combination of multiple abnormal indices more strongly correlates with symptoms and respiratory disease in large cross-sectional studies [12 ▪▪ ,13 ▪ ]. Although oscillometry generally differentiates healthy subjects from subjects with lung disease, a recent multicenter study from China did not demonstrate a significant difference in abnormal oscillometry variables between subjects with asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), or upper airway obstruction [14 ▪▪ ].…”

Effects of donor smoking history on early post-transplant lung function measured by oscillometry

“…Oscillometry has been shown to detect abnormalities in people with respiratory symptoms but normal spirometry, and to detect early chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) prior to changes in cPFT (11)(12)(13). R 5-20 is higher in smokers than non-smokers, even without a diagnosis of COPD (14), and is correlated with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage and COPD assessment scores (15).…”

Real-World Application of Oscillometry: Taking the LEAD

“…This is where the study published by Veneroni and colleagues in this issue of the Journal (pp. 444–453 ) has substantial impact ( 6 ). The authors report the results of oscillometry performed on participants in the Austrian LEAD (Lung, Heart, Social, Body) study ( 7 ).…”