Pulmonary function test and race - Living with Asthma

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Pulmonary function test and race

Beefull8 profile image
4 Replies

Hi. I recently found my pulmonary function test from last year. For the first time I noticed two errors. One was my race which said Caucasian and I’m not and second it said I used albuterol nebulizer to test reversibility and I actually made a mistake and took spiriva. My allergist knew I made a mistake about the spiriva and said well that just made the test defunct but I’m wondering also if because the tech wrote the wrong race if it messed up my predicted values as well. Thank you!

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Beefull8
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d2read profile image
d2read

Hi, B,

No. It doesn’t change anything accept their demographic reporting is off (and they are ALWAYS off nowadays, in part because there are so many mixed people). Most techs have been told that rather than question people about their background, which can be offensive, they should just guess.

Has your doctor come up with an explanation of your odd breathing pattern?

Beefull8 profile image
Beefull8 in reply tod2read

No word yet but thank goodness I’m feeling better and stepping down. Only trigger seems to be stomach flu which I caught twice since first diagnosed. I read one research study that said if race or age are wrong it can affect predicted value so wondered. Thanks!

Ellas4th profile image
Ellas4th

You raise a good question. I know there are some health conditions that vary by race, but I didn't think that would be the case with asthma and copd. Thanx for the question. I will be interested in your other replies.

Maryhart profile image
MaryhartPartnerAsthma Educator

Pulmonary function testing is an important part of your lung health. It’s used in diagnosing and monitoring. I believe height, race, age and gender may play a role in your predicted values. You probably should report any errors you find in your test so your results can be corrected.

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