Comparing Advanced Technologies to Standard Testing for the Diagnosis of Airway Disease in Hospital and Community Settings

Airway disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is usually diagnosed through breathing tests like spirometry. However, it requires people to blow forcefully into a machine several times which can be uncomfortable and difficult for some patients. This study is looking at whether newer technologies and other breathing tests can help diagnose COPD as accurately as standard testing. We will compare these tests in both hospital and community settings. We are interested in understanding how practical and cost-effective these tests are, including how easy they are to use and how comfortable they are for patients to perform.