Impulse oscillometry-based small airway reversibility outperforms spirometric BDR in asthma

A study of 289 healthy controls and 290 treatment-naive asthma patients generated sex-specific impulse oscillometry (IOS) reference values and evaluated small airway reversibility (SAR) as a diagnostic tool. The study reported that a positive SAR criterion achieved 77.8% sensitivity for asthma versus 24.5% for conventional spirometric bronchodilator reversibility, and that SAR retained 71.5% sensitivity among patients with preserved pulmonary function and absent bronchodilator reversibility. The authors concluded that IOS reference values characterize small airway dysfunction rather than identify asthma itself, and that ROC-derived SAR thresholds may complement spirometry.

Most relevant for: Relevant to evaluation of treatment-naive patients with suspected asthma, particularly those with preserved spirometry and negative bronchodilator reversibility testing.

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