Standardization of spirometry: what’s new in 2019 update. Part 1

Abstract

Spirometry is the basic method for pulmonary function evaluating but it is very dependent on the quality of performance. Currently, specialists in lung function diagnostics rely on the 2005 technical standards of spirometry, jointly developed by the American thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS), adapted for our country by the Russian Respiratory Society in 2013. New technical capabilities and research studies have shown the need to improve approaches to ensuring the measurements quality. A joint task force with experience in conducting and analyzing pulmonary functional tests assigned by the ATS and ERS has significantly updated international standards to ensure quality laboratory practice. The article discusses the standards update by the 2019 consensus, as well as the new added factors that were not previously mentioned. New standards are needed for manufacturers, clinicians, functional diagnostics specialists and researchers in order to increase the accuracy of spirometric measurements and reduce the negative impact on the patient.