日本総合健診医学会第38回大会―シンポジウム2―健診でのCOPD早期発見を目指して―
スパイロメトリーの必要性と肺年齢の意義

抄録

 COPD is recognized as a preventable and treatable disease now. However, it is well known that few numbers of patients with COPD is diagnosed and treated in Japan. One of reasons is no spread of spirometry in the institutions of primary care and health care. The spread of spirometry is an important awaiting solution, because spirometry only can discover newly and early COPD patients. In addition, we have several problems. First, parameters used in spirometry are often difficult to understand in non-specific respiratory physician and general people. Second, technique of spirometry is needed the efforts of subjects tested. Third, in general lung health might be concerned less than cardio-vascular health and metabolic syndrome. A new concept to understand about lung health easily and impressively should be needed. That is “lung age” in accordance with lung function. The concept of “lung age” has been proposed as a way of making the results of lung function test more familiar to the public. I hope the concept of “lung age” contribute that a number of patients with COPD will be discovered and treated, and also many smokers will resolve to stop smoking in Japan.