Current Diagnostics for Respiratory Conditions

It is generally recognised that Spirometry is central to the diagnosis of asthma & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).^1,2 However, Spirometry has essentially remained unchanged since 1979.³

Dr Neil Greening provides an overview of the current diagnostics available in respiratory but also discusses some alternative methods/tests including Oscillometry, FeNO and advances such as AI to improve lung interpretation and portable technology.

Please also consider watching the on-demand video “The Future of Respiratory Diagnostics?” by Dr Ameera Patel showcasing an example of a novel diagnostic tool in respiratory.

References

1. Levy ML, Bacharier LB, Bateman E, et al. Key recommendations for primary care from the 2022 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) update. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2023;33(1):7. doi:10.1038/s41533-023-00330-1

2. GOLD Report 2024. https://goldcopd.org/2024-gold-report/

3. Renzetti. American Review of Respiratory Disease;119: 5 May 1979 693

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• Dr Neil Greening

  Associate Professor (Clinical) and Consultant Respiratory Physician

  Read biography
  Dr Neil Greening

  Associate Professor (Clinical) and Consultant Respiratory Physician Glenfield Hospital, Leicester

  Role and Location
  Dr Neil Greening is a clinical academic in Respiratory Medicine at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester.

  Research
  He has an interest in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). He is part of a specialist complex COPD service covering Leicestershire and leads the Leicester lung volume reduction service. His research focus in on early phase clinical trials and translational research in hospitalisation due to acute exacerbations. He has a particular interest in muscle wasting and exercise.

  Memberships
  Dr Greening is chair of the COPD Specialist advisory group for the British Thoracic Society. He has also been on the BTS National Guideline group for pulmonary rehabilitation, the ATS pulmonary rehabilitation programme committee and is part of the ERS taskforce on the management of cardiac comorbidities in hospitalized patients with exacerbation of COPD. He has spoken on the BTS Short Physiology Course for the past 8 years on static lung volumes and has an interest in respiratory physiology.