Table 4– Recommendations for lung function measurements in epidemiological studies on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

1) Spirometry should always be carried out

2) Performance of other lung function measurements should be dependent on the specific aim of the study

3) Lung function measurements should be performed according to current ATS/ERS guidelines

4) Predicted values should be obtained from studies of normal or healthy subjects of the same sex, age height and ethnic characteristics as the subjects being studied

ATS: American Thoracic Society; ERS: European Respiratory Society.