A two-staged, risk-stratified strategy combining FEV1/FEV6 and COPD diagnostic questionnaire acts as an accurate and cost-effective COPD case-finding method

This prospective, cross-sectional, observational study compared the diagnostic accuracy of various combinations of handheld lung function devices and questionnaires in 224 subjects aged ≥40 years with respiratory symptoms and ≥10 smoking pack-years, with the aim of developing a COPD case-finding strategy. As part of the study, pre-bronchodilator lung function testing was undertaken using a Vitalograph COPD-6 device (FEV1, FEV6, FEV1/FEV6 ratio) and a Vitalograph myPEF device (PEF).