Journal of general internal medicine
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Use of the Spirometric "Fixed-Ratio" Underdiagnoses COPD in African-Americans in a Longitudinal Cohort Study.
COPD diagnosis is tightly linked to the fixed-ratio spirometry criteria of FEV1/FVC < 0.7. African-Americans are less often diagnosed with COPD. ⋯ The fixed-ratio spirometric criteria for COPD underdiagnosed potential COPD in AA participants when compared to broader diagnostic criteria. Disproportionate reductions in FVC relative to FEV1 leading to higher FEV1/FVC were identified in these participants and associated with deprivation. Broader diagnostic criteria for COPD are needed to identify the disease across all populations.