[Standardization of spirometry: 2015 update. Published by German Atemwegsliga, German Respiratory Society and German Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine]. / Leitlinie zur Spirometrie. Leitlinie der Deutschen Atemwegsliga, der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Arbeitsmedizin und Umweltmedizin zur Spirometrie.

Spirometry is a simple test and considered the gold standard in lung function. An obstructive ventilatory defect is a disproportionate reduction of maximal airflow from the lung in relation to the maximal volume that can be displaced from the lung. It implies airway narrowing and is defined by a reduced FEV1/FVC ratio below the 5th percentile of the predicted value (lower limit of normal, LLN). A restrictive disorder may be suspected when vital capacity (FVC) is reduced and FEV1/FVC is normal. It is definitely proven, however, only by a decrease in TLC below the 5th percentile of predicted value (LLN). The measurement of TLC by body plethysmography is necessary to confirm or exclude a restrictive defect or hyperinflation of the lung when FVC is below the LLN. 2012 a task force of the ERS published new reference values based on 74,187 records from healthy non-smoking males and females from 26 countries. The new reference equations for the 3-95 age range are now available that include appropriate age-dependent mean values and lower limits of normal (LLN). This presentation aims at providing the reader with recommendations dealing with standardization and interpretation of spirometry.

Body plethysmography--its principles and clinical use.

Body plethysmography allows to assess functional residual capacity (FRC(pleth)) and specific airway resistance (sRaw) as primary measures. In combination with deep expirations and inspirations, total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV) can be determined. Airway resistance (Raw) is calculated as the ratio of sRaw to FRC(pleth). Raw is a measure of airway obstruction and indicates the alveolar pressure needed to establish a flow rate of 1 L s(-1). In contrast, sRaw can be interpreted as the work to be performed by volume displacement to establish this flow rate. These measures represent different functional aspects and should both be considered. The measurement relies on the fact that generation of airflow needs generation of pressure. Pressure generation means that a mass of air is compressed or decompressed relative to its equilibrium volume. This difference is called "shift volume". As the body box is sealed and has rigid walls, its free volume experiences the same, mirror image-like shift volume as the lung. This shift volume can be measured via the variation of box pressure. The relationship between shift volume and alveolar pressure is assessed in a shutter maneuver, by identifying mouth and alveolar pressure under zero-flow conditions. These variables are combined to obtain FRC(pleth), sRaw and Raw. This presentation aims at providing the reader with a thorough and precise but non-technical understanding of the working principle of body plethysmography. It also aims at showing that this method yields significant additional information compared to spirometry and even bears a potential for further development.

[Assessment and outcome parameters in COPD]. / Beurteilungs- und Prognosekriterien bei COPD1.

BACKGROUND: A standard outcome parameter for pharmacological trials in COPD has not yet been defined. Therefore, it is the aim of this review to evaluate frequently used parameters for their eligibility as assessment and outcome parameters in COPD. METHODS: A review of the actual scientific literature was performed. RESULTS: It is recommended to continue to rely primarily on the FEV (1), which has been used as a primary variable in the vast majority of trials. In addition, further parameters, such as FVC and IC/TLC should be determined. If available, additional information is provided by RV/TLC, K (co), PaO (2) and PaCO (2). FEV (1) is not a surrogate parameter for dyspnoea, quality of life, and exercise tolerance, which should therefore be assessed separately. Frequency and severity of exacerbations and mortality are important outcome parameters in long-term trials. Complex indices, such as the BODE index, may be superior to single variables. CONCLUSIONS: No single additional parameter has been evaluated sufficiently in order to substitute FEV (1) as the standard parameter for the assessment and outcome in COPD.

Maternal smoking promotes chronic obstructive lung disease in the offspring as adults.

INTRODUCTION: In utero and/or childhood environmental tobacco smoke exposure is well known to adversely affect lung function and to depreciate child's health in many ways. Fewer studies have assessed the long-term effects on COPD development and disease severity in later adulthood. METHODS: COPD patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire regarding their personal as well as the smoking habits of their parents. Data were compared with the disease history, e.g. COPD exacerbation rate, and their lung function data. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2004 COPD patients were recruited a) in a private practice specialized in pulmonary medicine (n = 133) and b) in a hospital (n = 158). 75% of their fathers and only 15.4 of all mothers smoked regularly. COPD patients from smoking mothers had lower FEV1 predicted than those raised in household without maternal smoking exposure: 39.4 +/- 9.5% vs. 51.9 +/- 6.0% (P = 0.037). Fathers had no effect on FEV1 regardless if they are smokers or non-smokers. Rate of severe exacerbations requiring hospitalization remained unaffected by parental second hand smoke exposure. CONCLUSION: Maternal smoking negatively affects lung function of their offspring even in late adulthood when they develop COPD. It even aggravates the cumulative effect of active cigarette consumption. Clinical course of the COPD remained unaffected.

[Parental smoking and passive smoke exposure in childhood promotes the COPD exacerbation rate]. / Einfluss einer elterlichen Passivrauchexposition im Kindes- und Jugendalter auf Lungenfunktion und Exazerbationsrate bei COPD-Patienten.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking parents are the main source of passive smoke exposure in childhood. Only few studies have assessed the effect of maternal or paternal cigarette smoke exposure in childhood on the development and severity of COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited n = 251 COPD-patients, n = 113 were clinically stable (no exacerbations for up to 24 years backdated from the day of interview), and - according to their history - n = 138 had more than one exacerbation during this time period. All COPD-patients were interviewed by a physician using a structured questionnaire on main health outcomes, social status, smoking history of their parents and themselves. Furthermore, pulmonary function was measured, and concomitant lung diseases were excluded. RESULTS: Both COPD groups were comparable in age, gender, smoking history at the beginning of the disease, and cigarette pack-years smoked. Patients whose mothers smoked during childhood had poorer lung function values: FEV (1) 45.2 % vs. 54 % (p = 0.037). Non-smoking patients with a history of maternal smoking had a 7-times higher exacerbation rate compared to patients without passive smoke exposure (p = 0.073). Paternal cigarette smoke exposure had no effect. CONCLUSION: Maternal cigarette smoke exposure in childhood aggravates the COPD disease and predisposes the patient for a higher disease severity.