Encuesta sobre la actividad de los laboratorios de función pulmonar. Efectos durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2

Introduction

Following the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in March 2020, pulmonary function testing (PFT) laboratories underwent a transformation, with a reduction in the number of tests or closure in some cases. The aim of this work was to know the activity of PFT in Spain and the modification of this activity due to the pandemic.

Material and methods

A protocolised survey was carried out to members of the PFT laboratories through the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR).

Results

Thirty-nine hospitals in Spain responded. The pulmonary function tests most frequently performed in the PFT laboratories were forced spirometry with bronchodilator test (100%), body plethysmography (97.4%), CO transfer capacity (97.4%), respiratory muscle strength measured in the mouth (97.4%), 6-minute walking test (94.7%), measurement of exhaled fraction of nitric oxide (92.3%) and incremental exercise test (71.8%).

The pandemic led to a significant decrease in the number of tests (35.4%) during 2020 with subsequent recovery in 2021, without reaching pre-pandemic values.

The most important changes were increased examination times, working with personal protective equipment and ventilation of the rooms. The performance of the nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV2 testing prior to the tests was not homogeneous in the PFT laboratories.

Conclusions

Most hospitals are sufficiently equipped to perform the most common pulmonary function tests. The pandemic resulted in a loss of activity in all hospitals.