The results of a patient's spirometry are recorded as follows: Predicted FVC 3.5 L, Observed FVC 2.1 L; Predicted FEV1 2.7 L, Observed FEV1 2.6 L; Predicted FRC 2.5 L, Observed FRC 1.7 L; Predicted TLC 5.6 L, Observed TLC 4.2 L. These results are indicative of

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Multiple Choice

The results of a patient's spirometry are recorded as follows: Predicted FVC 3.5 L, Observed FVC 2.1 L; Predicted FEV1 2.7 L, Observed FEV1 2.6 L; Predicted FRC 2.5 L, Observed FRC 1.7 L; Predicted TLC 5.6 L, Observed TLC 4.2 L. These results are indicative of

Recognizing a restrictive pattern on spirometry. In restriction, the lungs cannot expand fully, so the total lung capacity and other volumes fall markedly. Here, multiple volumes are reduced: FVC is significantly below predicted, TLC is reduced, and FRC is lower than predicted, while FEV1 remains relatively preserved compared with FVC. This combination points to a loss of lung compliance or parenchymal/apparent stiffness rather than airway obstruction or air trapping. Interstitial processes like sarcoidosis commonly cause this restrictive pattern by creating granulomatous involvement that stiffens the lungs and lowers volumes. The other scenarios usually show different patterns: obstructive processes (like cystic fibrosis or acute bronchitis) typically have a reduced FEV1 out of proportion to FVC and may show increased TLC from air trapping, not the decreased volumes seen here. A normal spirometry would not show these reductions. Hence the pattern fits a restrictive process such as sarcoidosis.

Recognizing a restrictive pattern on spirometry. In restriction, the lungs cannot expand fully, so the total lung capacity and other volumes fall markedly. Here, multiple volumes are reduced: FVC is significantly below predicted, TLC is reduced, and FRC is lower than predicted, while FEV1 remains relatively preserved compared with FVC. This combination points to a loss of lung compliance or parenchymal/apparent stiffness rather than airway obstruction or air trapping. Interstitial processes like sarcoidosis commonly cause this restrictive pattern by creating granulomatous involvement that stiffens the lungs and lowers volumes.

The other scenarios usually show different patterns: obstructive processes (like cystic fibrosis or acute bronchitis) typically have a reduced FEV1 out of proportion to FVC and may show increased TLC from air trapping, not the decreased volumes seen here. A normal spirometry would not show these reductions. Hence the pattern fits a restrictive process such as sarcoidosis.

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