Underdiagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Rationale for Spirometry as a Screening Tool

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and its impact on quality of life can be severe. The debate on spirometry as a screening tool has been raised and dropped on various occasions over the past 30 years. This paper readdresses the debate in the light of recent evidence from population studies. Spirometry is an underused, …