First ever world spirometry day

On Thursday October 14^th, free spirometry will be offered world wide. This event will be one of the top opportunities to raise awareness about lung health through the public and the media. The European Respiratory Society and the European Lung Foundation will coordinate the organizing of the event.

Spirometry is the most common method for testing lung function. It is simple, quick and non invasive. The test specifically measures the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled by the lungs. Spirometry is an important tool and is helpful in assessing conditions such as asthma and pulmonary fibrosis and perhaps most importantly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

These spirometry events have a dual purpose. On the one hand they have a public health impact enabling many people who have not been tested previously to have their lung function measured. In Berlin approximately 20% of people tested were advised to visit their doctor for further examination. On the other hand, these events provide a focus on lung health and lung disease, facilitating increased public awareness.

The results of six of these events in summary found that in over 12,500 people tested, nearly 20% has some degree of airway obstruction, nearly 50% were smokers and 5% had asthma.

The organizers of these events conclude that spirometry testing is a useful way to detect airway obstruction at an early stage in life, in a large proportion of residents.

On World Spirometry Day, Manse Medical will organize and run an event to offering free spirometry. CareFusion and Bird Heath Care have generously offered support in the way of filters and noseclips for the event.

More details will be posted nearer to the date.

Vanessa