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What lung function testing is appropriate?

This can depend on the amount of clinical and other information that you have already but we have grouped particular tests together as diseases or damage to the respiratory system tends to affect the following areas: the airways, the lung tissue, chest cavity and the pulmonary circulation. Respiratory disease can generally be characterised by patterns that take into account airway function (with or without reversibility), lung size and alveolar function. It may also depend on whether you have a known diagnosis or not.

  • Standard Lung Function Test (Spirometry, Diffusing Capacity, Lung Volumes if indicated) - This is the "Catch Most" test and generally the most useful for diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory disease. It may be less helpful for diagnosing asthma as this disease is characterised by variable airway reversibility which may not be evident on the day of testing pre and post bronchodilator spirometry.

  • Paediatric Airway Function Test (Oscillometry for children aged 4 years old and older) - This test provides an indication of airway function from tidal breathing only. It is highly sensitive to changes in the small airways and can be a useful tool looking for a bronchodilator response in people who have suspected or confirmed asthma

  • Airway Function (Spirometry, Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO), Diffusing Capacity) – In people with atopic asthma, this test can be helpful to determine if airway function is impaired together with providing a marker of airway inflammation and gas exchange. It also a useful tool to determine the effect of, and titration of anti-inflammatory therapy (“Preventers”) in the control of known disease.

  • Respiratory Muscle Strength (MIPS/MEPS) – For people with neuromuscular disease or impairment, this test gives an indication of the degree of impairment to muscles of respiration.

  • Bronchial Challenge Test - On the occasions where a bronchodilator response has not been apparent with pre/post spirometry but asthma is still suspected, this test is appropriate. It is designed to challenge the airways with a “trigger” and determine if they are hyperresponsive. A positive test is consistent with the presence of asthma.

  • Lung Health Clinic in General Practice - These are clinics established to enable easy access to testing where financial and other travel constraints may prevent attendance at our Launceston service. A selection of tests are performed based on the clinical notes provided on the referral. By design, ALL clinical referrals are bulk-billed for Medicare/DVA card holders. Contact the Service Director to discuss implementation of these clinics at your practice.