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The Statements of Principles Monitoring, Aetiology and CCPS Commentary Unit |
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Facsimile: 07 3223 8722. email: smaccu@powerup.com.au
Bob Connolly |
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Dr Bev Grehan |
07 3223 8376 |
Maureen Anderson |
08 8290 0365 (Manager, Adelaide) |
Dr Jon Kelley |
07 3223 8412 |
Duncan Cape |
07 3223 8757 |
Sue Lee |
08 8290 0227 |
Gaynor Cavanagh |
07 3223 8331 |
Bernadette McCabe |
07 3223 8393 |
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SOP BULLETIN #11 |
30 April, 1998
Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
SPIROMETRY RESULTS: DIAGNOSIS v ASSESSMENT (USING GARP V)
GARP V allows prebronchodilator spirometry results to be used in the assessment of respiratory impairment (this is a significant change from GARP IV).
However, for the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and emphysema you will need to obtain and use postbronchodilator* spirometry results.
This is because the definition in the RMA SOPs for chronic bronchitis and emphysema requires that in order to make the diagnosis based on spirometry results (FEV1, FVC and FEF25-75), there must be evidence of significant irreversible chronic airflow obstruction.
This means that the best available recent# postbronchodilator spirometry results must be used for diagnostic purposes. If these postbronchodilator spirometry results do not satisfy the levels specified in the SOP definition, the diagnosis cannot be made via that mechanism, regardless of whether or not:
- prebronchodilator spirometry results would attract impairment points using GARP V; or
- other recent sets of postbronchodilator spirometry results would satisfy the definition.
* postbronchodilator spirometry means results taken after the administration (during the testing) of a bronchodilator agent, such as ventolin.
# “recent” can generally be taken to mean not more than 3 months old at the time of receipt of the claim. However, the circumstances of the particular case should be considered and medical advice sought if in doubt.