Symptomatic impact and anxiety generated by performing pulmonary function tests: Are there differences between patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease and obstructive airway disease?

Abstract

trend towards greater elevation of cardio-respiratory stress, specially through respiratory rate, was found after PFT in the group of patients with ILD. In contrast, a trend towards higher levels of anxiety immediately before PFT was observed in patients with obstructive disease (mostly COPD) compared to that seen in the group of patients with fibrotic ILD. The variables contributing the most to length of stay in the lung function laboratory were: undergoing a bronchodilation test; the number of attempts needed to reach a technically adequate flow-volume curve; the previous degree of dyspnea, heart rate and respiratory rate before the test; and male gender. A diagnosis of fibrotic ILD was also, by itself, a determining factor for a longer stay in the lab