spirometry (after an exacerbation of COPD or asthma)

Last reviewed 01/2018

• the patient's condition should be stable (ie at least 6 weeks since an exacerbation)
• before a bronchodilator reversibility test the patient should stop their short acting beta 2 agonist for 6 hours, long acting bronchodilator for 12 hours and theophyllines for 24 hours

Reference:

• (1) GPIAG Opinion: Spirometry; Kaplan A, Pinnock H. Spirometry. Sept 2004. GPIAG Opinion 1(2).