The usefulness of the forced oscillation technique in the diagnosis of bronchial asthma in seniors.

Abstract

Background: Obstructive pulmonary diseases are common in the elderly but often remain underdiagnosed due to limited spirometry availability or challenges with patient cooperation during testing. This study evaluated the potential of the forced oscillation technique (FOT) as a diagnostic tool for bronchial asthma in individuals over 60 years old.

Research design and methods: A total of 189 patients diagnosed with asthma after age 60 and a control group of nonasthmatic seniors were included. Participants underwent spirometry, FOT, and bronchial reversibility testing using both methods. The primary outcomes were correlations between positive results from resting spirometry and FOT in asthmatics and the agreement between reversibility test results across the two methods.

Results: FOT parameters (FEV1, V5, R5) effectively distinguished asthmatics from nonasthmatics. Positive reversibility test results were observed in 71 (73.2%) patients using FOT and 68 (70.1%) using spirometry, with both methods aligning in 64 (66%) cases.

Conclusion: These results highlight the value of FOT, particularly for bronchial reversibility testing, in improving asthma diagnosis in seniors. FOT offers a practical alternative for patients who face difficulties performing spirometry, addressing a critical need in this population.