Preoperative spirometry and perioperative drug therapy in patients with obstructive pulmonary dysfunction.

Objective: The presence and severity of obstructive pulmonary diseases is important determinants of non-fatal and fatal postoperative complications. This study examined the characteristics of patients in need of perioperative drug therapy for obstructive pulmonary dysfunction.
Methods: Among 2,358 surgical patients who, between September 2009 and February 2010, underwent spirometry at the Tokai University Hospital, the 333 whose forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) / forced vital capacity ratio was <0.7 were studied retrospectively. Single and multiple variable logistic regression analyses were performed in search of predictors of need for drug therapy.
Results: Among the 230 men and 103 women (mean age = 68 ± 11 years) with obstructive pulmonary dysfunction, 108 (32%) received perioperative drug therapy with bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids or both. By multiple variable analysis, perioperative drug therapy was significantly correlated with a history of asthma and ever smoking, cough or sputum production, FEV1 <50% predicted, and emphysema, independently of consultations with pulmonologists. In a decision tree analysis, FEV1 and smoking history were the independent predictors of perioperative drug therapy.
Conclusions: Composite assessment of clinical history, respiratory symptoms, and pulmonary function is necessary for the efficient screening of the subjects who require perioperative drug therapy for obstructive pulmonary dysfunction.