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eISSN: 2581-9615 || CODEN: WJARAI || Impact Factor 8.2 ||  CrossRef DOI

Research and review articles are invited for publication in March 2026 (Volume 29, Issue 3) Submit manuscript

Comparison of the "Fixed thresholds" and the "Z-Score" for Spirometric diagnosis of Asthma

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  • Comparison of the "Fixed thresholds" and the "Z-Score" for Spirometric diagnosis of Asthma

S Kechnaoui *, SG Moussounda, M Ijim, H Biborchi, O Fikri and L Amro

Pneumology Department, Arrazi Hospital, Chu Mohammed VI, LRMS, FMPM UCA, Marrakesh Morocco.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 19(01), 1017-1021
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.19.1.1447
DOI url: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.19.1.1447
 
Received on 08 June 2023; revised on 17 July 2023; accepted on 19 July 2023
 
Introduction and objective: The use of z-score to interpret lung function has been recommended by GLI 2012 [1] and ATS/ERS 2022 [2], with evidence of false positives in the diagnosis of asthma when using fixed thresholds of FEV1/FVC. The aim of our study is to analyze the pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of patients admitted to our explorations for suspected asthma according to the z-score and the fixed thresholds, with a comparison of the two methods.
Methods: Our study is retrospective, carried out over a one-year period, from February 2022 to February 2023.
Results: We collected 292 cases. The average age of patients was 30 years, with a clear predominance of women (65%).
A similarity of results according to the fixed thresholds and z-score was found in 235 cases (182 had a normal PFT and 53 had an OVD). An OVD was found in 39 cases according to the fixed thresholds, whereas PFT was normal according to the z-score. A reduction of FVC according to the z-score, while the PFT was normal to the fixed thresholds, was noted in 18 cases. It was related to a hyperinflation
In our study, using the z-score, we found 39 cases of false-positive spirometric diagnosis of asthma and under-diagnosis of reduction of FVC in 18 cases.
Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma based on spirometry is higher when using the fixed thresholds than when using the z-score, hence the need for standardization of interpretation methods, notably by GINA 2024.
 
Pulmonary Function Tests; Z-Score; Asthma; Spirometry; Airway Obstruction
 
https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/fulltext_pdf/WJARR-2023-1447.pdf

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S Kechnaoui, SG Moussounda, M Ijim, H Biborchi, O Fikri and L Amro. Comparison of the "Fixed thresholds" and the "Z-Score" for Spirometric diagnosis of Asthma. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 19(1), 1017-1021. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.19.1.1447

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