The Temple Lung Center in Philadelphia is pairing spirometry tests with low-dose CT (LDCT) scans in routine chest screenings, aiming to catch chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) earlier and offer timely interventions.

The approach, part of the Temple Healthy Chest Initiative, combines imaging with lung function testing in a single appointment. While LDCT scans are primarily used for lung cancer screening, Temple is expanding their use to identify other respiratory issues, such as COPD, by adding spirometry — a test that measures how much and how quickly a person can exhale.

“Lung cancer and COPD share common risk factors,” said Stephen Biehl, a registered respiratory therapist at Temple. “In both cases, early detection can make an enormous difference in treatment outcomes and quality of life.”
Spirometry is noninvasive and typically takes under 30 minutes. During the test, patients blow into a mouthpiece connected to a machine that records airflow. Key metrics include forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Scores below 80% of predicted values may indicate impaired lung function, possibly linked to conditions such as asthma, bronchiectasis, or COPD.

Patients with early-stage COPD often have no noticeable symptoms, but the condition is progressive and can cause lasting lung damage if left untreated. Temple emphasizes that early diagnosis through spirometry can lead to earlier therapeutic interventions, potentially slowing disease progression and improving quality of life.

For patients flagged during screening, Temple offers follow-up diagnostics such as blood tests, imaging, and functional assessments. Confirmed COPD patients may be enrolled in customized care plans, which can include access to clinical trials and advanced therapies.

CT Homepage