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Evaluation of Lung Function
- DANIEL H. SIMMONS, M.D., PH.D., F.A.C.P.;
- STEVEN E. LEVY, M.D.;
- C. ROBERT OLSEN, M.D.;
- NORMAN D. POE, M.D.;
- BERTRAND J. SHAPIRO, M.D.;
- KARLMAN WASSERMAN, M.D., PH.D.; and
- ARCHIE F. WILSON, M.D., PH.D.
- Requests for reprints should be addressed to Daniel H. Simmons, M.D., Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024
SUMMARY
Evaluation of lung function requires evaluation of the function of the entire respiratory apparatus of which the lung is ordinarily the most critical part. It is of diagnostic value in determining the presence, type, and extent of disease. It is of therapeutic value in following the course of disease and its response to management. And, finally, it is of value in making relatively objective determinations of the degree of disability due to respiratory disease.
Ideally, lung function tests should independently evaluate the function of the airways, lung circulation, and lung parenchyma where gas exchange occurs. In addition, interactions between these three parts of the system are often very important. Usually, the functions are evaluated by techniques that give only indirect evidence concerning their status and their contribution to disability. Techniques discussed include spirometry, measurement of blood gases, and lung scans.
Article and Author Information
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This is the edited transcription of an Interdepartmental Clinical Case Conference arranged by the Department of Medicine of the UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif.
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- Received April 23, 1969.
- Accepted April 29, 1969.
