Estimating rate of lung function change using clinical spirometry data.

Rationale: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), accurately estimating lung function from electronic health record (EHR) data would be beneficial but requires addressing complexities in clinically obtained testing. This study compared analytic methods for estimating rate of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) change from EHR data.

Methods: We estimated rate of FEV change in patients with COPD from a single centre who had ≥3 outpatient tests spanning at least 1 year.

Diffusing Capacity as a Predictor of Hospitalizations in a Clinical Cohort of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hospitalizations are a major burden on patients. Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dl) is a potential predictor that has not been studied in large cohorts. This study used electronic health record data to evaluate whether clinically obtained Dl predicts COPD hospitalizations.