PDA

View Full Version : Spirometry mild restriction


aircupidon
31st Aug 2015, 15:29
hello
Would a "mild restrictive" spirometry disquilify me from getting a job?

I dont have any history of lung disease. I score 62%

Spirometry should take race in account right? Is the final result corrected?

Thanks

obgraham
31st Aug 2015, 17:37
As I understand it, spirometry equipment corrects for racial differences.

Whether the machine used in your case does, I can't say.

aircupidon
2nd Sep 2015, 16:13
thanks obg, any idea if it's a disqualifying items ? Just by not blowing higher numbers.

obgraham
2nd Sep 2015, 18:12
Sorry, Cupid -- not an AME. You'll need to check with your certification authority.

gingernut
8th Sep 2015, 23:35
I have to ask, why did you go for the test in the first place ?

aircupidon
9th Sep 2015, 15:14
I did it during a job interview .... I dont have any history of lung problem.

Mimpe
10th Sep 2015, 12:50
If its an FEV1 expressed as a percentage of FVC you have signifcant lung disease. If the perecentage improves considerably with asthma medications either on the spot with salbutemol or after a month or so of asthma treatment, then you have asthma . Mild stable asthma that has never required medication ortrestment or has never behaved in a significant or unpredictable manner maystill pass certification. Asthma thatdoes not have these stable characteristics will not pass a commercial or PPL without considerable mitigating considerations.

If your pecentage does not respond to asthma treatment you have chronic airways limitation. It would be a matter for the physician todetermine the effect of the aviation environment on lung function, and the requirements of your aviation duties.

gingernut
10th Sep 2015, 19:17
I think someone needs to look at your functionality, rather than the readings from spirometry.

I've never heard it being used as a screening tool in a well 25 year old, but always willing to learn if anyone knows any different.

Radgirl
10th Sep 2015, 20:31
I would go further

We havent a clue what the 62% refers to and OP probably doesnt either. We dont know what equipment was used, nor its providence nor who carried out the test nor their training. To carry out a medical test during an interview is bizarre and no doctor would support this sort of a screening test so it is possible it was a non medical person with some unknown equipment being daft.

If you have no medical history, no asthma, no shortage of breath I would ignore the result. It was not a properly executed medical test any more than playing with a stethoscope in a child's nurses set. Your GP would I am sure do a simple peak flow test if you are worried, and if that is normal I for one would consider the previous test a false positive.

aircupidon
11th Sep 2015, 11:29
Mimpe, gingernut, and radgirl thanks for your answer, i have an appointment tomorrow with a pulmonologist...hopefully, everything will be ok

Cheers!

Radgirl
11th Sep 2015, 13:06
Hi

Good luck

I presume you are in North America as we dont have pulmonologists elsewhere. Hopefully he will say there is no problem, but in this sort of situation it is better to just pop into your local family doctor for two reasons:

1 your family doctor is used to people popping in with odd stories. They will be likely to say 'rubbish', and if the peak flow is normal confirm you are fit and well. A specialist however will run lots of tests (more money!) and be more likely to nitpick and say 'there is nothing to worry about but you may have a tiny amount of pulmonitis and I really should see you again and why dont we try a course of pulmonol.

2 If your GP confirms there is no problem and agrees the previous test was not done 'medically' it can be argued you do not need to disclose it. If you see a 'specialist' you have to disclose it and then the regulator is involved

Sadly there are many threads on this site where people have been wrongly 'labelled' with a disease and it is very difficult to get rid of the label

Let us know how you get on!