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. 2015 Jan-Feb;13(1):49-52.
doi: 10.1370/afm.1733.

Laryngeal measurements and diagnostic tools for diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Verónica Casado  1 , Sandra M Navarro  2 , Andrés E Alvarez  2 , Mercedes Villafañe  2 , Ana Miranda  2 , Natalia Spaans  2 ; Research Group ParquEPOC
Affiliations

Laryngeal measurements and diagnostic tools for diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Verónica Casado et al. Ann Fam Med. 2015 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of laryngeal height, lung function, and diagnostic questionnaires for screening and diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We undertook a cross-sectional study of 233 people aged between 40 and 75 years. Measured variables were age, sex, weight, height, body mass index, tobacco use, maximum laryngeal height, and spirometry, and we administered a COPD questionnaire and the Lung Function Questionnaire.

Results: For laryngeal height, we found a positive likelihood ratio of 5.21, and for the Lung Function Questionnaire, we found a negative likelihood ratio of 0.10. Combining a maximum laryngeal height of ≤4 cm with Lung Function Questionnaire findings of ≤18 yielded a positive likelihood ratio of 29.06, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.26.

Conclusions: The intrinsic validity of the lung function questionnaire makes it useful for screening. Combining Lung Function Questionnaire results and laryngeal height can help confirm or dismiss COPD.

Keywords: COPD; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; diagnostic questionnaire; laryngeal measurement.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Measurement points for laryngeal height. Maximum larynx height is measured from the suprasternal notch to the top of the thyroid cartilage at the end of expiration. Adapted with permission from Casado VV. Examen físico del aparato respiratorio. En: Casado VV, Cordón GF, García VG. Manual de Exploración Física: Basado en la Persona, en el Síntoma y en la Evidencia. Barcelona: semFYC; 2012:78.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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