PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Sanja Stanojevic
AU  - Philip Quanjer
AU  - Martin R. Miller
AU  - Janet Stocks
TI  - The Global Lung Function Initiative: dispelling some myths of lung function test interpretation
AID  - 10.1183/20734735.012113
DP  - 2013 Dec 01
TA  - Breathe
PG  - 462--474
VI  - 9
IP  - 6
4099  - http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/9/6/462.short
4100  - http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/9/6/462.full
SO  - Breathe2013 Dec 01; 9
AB  - Educational Aims To summarise limitations and implications associated with using outdated spirometry reference equations to interpret lung function. To describe the Quanjer et al., 2012 “Global Lung Function Initiative” (GLI) spirometry equations and the advantages of using these in both clinical practice and research studies. To discuss the necessary steps and challenges when switching to the GLI, including adjustment for ethnicity, re-calculation of previous results for accurate trend reports and education of both patients and professionals. Summary Lung function results can help with establishing a diagnosis, with assessment of treatment effects and with making a prognosis. However, arbitrary differences in the way lung function is expressed and interpreted may result in mismanagement of patients as well as hindering our understanding of the global burden of lung disease. In this article, we summarise the Global Lung Function Initiative spirometry reference equations and dispel some common myths related to the use and interpretation of spirometry results.