Spirometric Values in Sitting, Standing and Supine Position

Abstract

IntroductionSpirometry is a physiological test that measures how an individual inhales or exhales volumes of air as a function of time. The primary signal measured in spirometry may be volume or flow. Spirometry is invaluable as a screening test of general respiratory health. It is commonly used to distinguish between restrictive and obstructive lung diseases, identifying patients susceptible to pulmonary barotraumas and bronchial hyper responsivity. It is also used in assessing pre-operative anesthetic risk in patients and patients about to undergo cardiothoracic surgery and to measure the efficacy of treatment of pulmonary diseases that show quantifiable defects [1].According to recent guideline of standardization of spirometry, both standing and sitting positions are acceptable [1]. But some have found significantly higher spirometric values in standing position than in sitting position [2]. Spirometric references values in general use today in India have been derived from data collected in sitting position [3,4]. Considering the chance of misdiagnosing patients in case of wrong interpretation of spirometry, it is imperative to know whether or not measurements taken in sitting position are significantly different than those taken in standing position and invite a false reading. The effect of sitting, standing and supine position on spirometric values has not been well studied in healthy subjects. Spirometric Values in Sitting, Standing and Supine PositionResearch Article Differences in the lung function of healthy subjects in the supine position compared with sitting position are of interest because these are the positions usually assumed during general anesthesia and more severe illness. Many times patient's lung functions need to be evaluate pre operatively but patients are not able to sit due to some reason, in which supine position must be used. Studies have shown that spirometric values decrease in supine position as compared to sitting position. But magnitude of change may be different [5,6]. So, it is also important to know the magnitude of difference occurs in lung functions in supine position. To, best of our knowledge none of the study has been published in Standard English literature from India.The aims of the study were to compare the spirometric values between sitting position and supine/standing position. This study was also aimed to find magnitude of change when going from sitting to supine position in order to help in interpreting the results of spirometry done in patients who are unable to sit upright and have to perform the test in supine positions. MethodsThe present study was carried out in SBKS Medical Institute & Research Centre, Piparia, Vadodara from March 2010 to April 2010. A prior approval from institutional ethical committee was taken. In this study 45 healthy non smoker subjects were chosen from volunteers among medical students and were asked Abstract Background: Spirometry may be done either in sitting or standing position. The effect of sitting, standing and supine position on ...

The application of “upper-body yoga” in elderly patients with acute hip fracture: a prospective, randomized, and single-blind study

“…In this study, on the first day of admission elderly patients with healthy lungs showed significantly lower FVC (2.14 ± 0.54 L) and FVC% (71.66% ± 12.53%) than the normal range specified in the guideline of the American Thoracic Society and the values of Cebria et al’s [10] study on sedentary frail older women (77.7~83.0%). It has been well proven that lower position reduces spirometric values [11, 12]. The low FVC of patients with healthy lungs and hip fracture in the present study may be attributed to postural limitations, physical pain, and stress weakness.…”