What does spirometry primarily assess in patients?

Spirometry primarily assesses lung volume and airflow, which are crucial parameters in evaluating pulmonary function. The test measures how much air a person can inhale and exhale, as well as how quickly they can do so. This information helps in diagnosing a variety of respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and restrictive lung diseases by providing insight into the patency of airways and the efficiency of lung function.

The values obtained from spirometry, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), are critical for determining the severity of lung impairment. These measures help guide treatment decisions and monitor disease progression over time. In contrast, other options such as blood gas levels, respiratory muscle strength, and chest wall compliance assess different aspects of respiratory health and function, and are not the primary focus of a spirometry test.