Abstract
Background: Objective measurement of airflow limitation by spirometry is an essential part of the diagnosis of asthma and COPD. Both diseases are responsible for increasing hospitalization rates in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. Telehealth, a Brazilian Health Ministry program, launched RespiraNet, a pilot project being undertaken in RS and the 1st Brazilian spirometric telediagnosis service for respiratory diseases.
Objectives: To determine the contribution and the utility of spirometries performed by the RespiraNet program to confirm asthma and COPD diagnosis from September 2013 to September 2014.
Methods: Spirometries were performed by previously trained technicians using a WinDX Revelation – Creative BioMedics Inc. equipment in 3 different cities in RS and then sent through the Internet to be analyzed. After being interpreted by an expert Pulmonologist, the reports were sent back.
Results: 474 spirometries were performed, 95% of them technically adequate. Most patients were female (264) and had a positive smoking history (265, 51% of which were still smokers). Average age of patients was 53 years old. Spirometric diagnosis were: asthma (215 - 45%), COPD (211 - 44%), no diagnosis (48 - 11%). 267 patients (56%) had airflow limitation, 31% of which a severe one. 302 (64%) were using medication, but only 31% were adequately treated.
Conclusions: Like Bonavia (2009), we found that tele-spirometry can be a useful alternative in the betterment of management of chronic respiratory illness, which is why it is important that both the technicians and Pulmonologists are well educated and trained. Tele-spirometry is a very useful tool to help reduce over and underdiagnosis of obstructive lung diseases.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015