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Review
. 2025 Aug;70(8):1033-1044.
doi: 10.1089/respcare.13066. Epub 2025 May 21.

Year in Review: Pulmonary Function Testing

Jeffrey M Haynes  1
Affiliations
Review

Year in Review: Pulmonary Function Testing

Jeffrey M Haynes. Respir Care. 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Pulmonary function testing dates back to the 19th century, and the most commonly performed tests pre-date the use of computers. Despite its long and rich history, much is still unknown about how to best perform, interpret, and apply pulmonary function tests. This year-in-review article will discuss recently published papers covering important topics including the performance of lung volume testing, the definition and severity grading of air flow obstruction, the clinical utility of bronchodilator responsiveness, and the use of race-neutral reference equations.

Keywords: COPD; fractional exhaled nitric oxide; lung volumes; pulmonary function testing; reference ranges; spirometry.

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