Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
by
Alayne Ronnenberg, ScD There are no specific tests to confirm COPD. Instead, your doctor will use your symptoms, risk factors, and test results to determine if it is present. COPD cannot be found before irreversible lung damage has occurred. The earlier it is detected, the sooner steps can be taken to slow further damage. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your history and physical exam will provide the most important information for the diagnosis of COPD. Other tests may be done to look for more signs of COPD and assess the changes to the lung. These tests can also show how impaired your breathing may be. Lung TestsPulmonary Function TestsThese function tests can show how well your lungs are working. There are a number of different test options. These tests are painless and non-invasive. You will be asked to breathe into a tube called a spirometer. It will measure how much air your lungs can hold. It will also measure your ability to move air in and out of your lungs in a certain period of time. Your results are compared with typical findings of a healthy person your age and similar height. All of this information will show how much your lung function has declined. Tests may also be done after you have been given certain medication. This is to see if this type of treatment is effective for you. Pulmonary function measures include:
Carbon Monoxide Diffusing CapacityThis test measures how well a gas can pass from your lungs and into your blood. You will be asked to breath in air containing a very small amount of carbon monoxide. When you breathe out, the carbon monoxide in your breath will be measured. Your doctor will look at the difference between amount of gas that was inhaled and the amount you exhaled. The missing gas will have been passed into your blood. This reflects how easily oxygen can get into your blood from your lungs. Other TestsOximetryA small clip will be placed on your finger. It can quickly show how much oxygen is in your blood. Blood Tests
Imaging TestsImaging tests are used to examine the lungs and assess lung damage. Options include:
References:COPD. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115557/COPD. Updated February 9, 2017. Accessed February 22, 2017. Diagnosing and treating COPD. American Lung Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated November 30, 2016. Accessed February 22, 2017. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2017. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed February 22, 2017. How is COPD diagnosed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated July 31, 2013. Accessed February 22, 2017.
Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, Weinberger SE, et al; Diagnosis and management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a clinical practice guideline update from the American College of Physicians, American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society.
Ann Intern Med. 2011;155(3):179-191.
Last reviewed March 2018 by Michael Woods, MD, FAAP Last Updated: 3/30/2018
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