Diagnostic Impact of a Race-Composite Pulmonary Function Test Results Interpretation Strategy

Lung Function Trajectory Using Race-Specific vs Race-Neutral Global Lung Function Initiative Coefficients

Importance

The use of race-based coefficients in pulmonary function testing has led to the recent development of the race-neutral Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) reference equation (hereafter GLI Global). The performance of GLI Global in comparison to race-adjusted coefficients (hereafter GLI 2012) has not been well characterized.

Objective

To compare the implications of GLI 2012 vs GLI Global reference equations for lung function trajectory.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study at Massachusetts General Hospital analyzed data of patients aged 18 to 95 years who completed spirometry testing between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2020. Data analysis was performed from January 2023 to November 2024.

Exposures

GLI Global and GLI 2012 reference equations to define lung function.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Proportion of patients with recategorized lung function (FEV1 and FVC) based on the 2 reference equations and their lung function trajectory over time. Lung function metrics included forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1 to FVC ratio. The z scores for FEV1 and FVC were calculated using the GLI 2012 and GLI Global reference equations, with a score lower than -1.64 considered abnormal. Patients were categorized into 1 of 4 groups based on their z scores: normal to normal (normal z score on both equations); abnormal to normal (abnormal z score based on GLI 2012 equations but normal based on the GLI Global equation); normal to abnormal (normal z score on GLI 2012 equations but abnormal on the GLI Global equation); and abnormal to abnormal (abnormal z score on both equations).

Results

The sample included a total of 24 662 patients (988 Black [4.0%] and 22 297 White [90.4%] patients; 13 108 women [53.2%]) with a mean (SD) age of 57.6 (15.7) years who completed a median (IQR) of 3.0 (2.0-5.0) sets of spirometry over a median (IQR) of 2.6 (0.8-6.6) years between 1997 and 2020. Among Black patients, 190 (19.2%) had either their FEV1 or FVC recategorized from normal to abnormal using the GLI Global reference equation. The subset of Black patients whose lung function was recategorized from normal to abnormal exhibited FEV1 decline (-2.06%; 95% CI, -3.47% to -0.64%; P = .56) that was similar to decline in Black patients whose lung function was characterized as abnormal (-1.89%; 95% CI, -2.58% to -1.19%; P = .84) using both the GLI Global and GLI 2012 reference equations. Among White patients, 3348 (15.0%) had either their FEV1 or FVC recategorized from abnormal to normal using the GLI Global equation. FEV1 decline in these patients (-1.82%; 95% CI, -2.55% to -1.08%; P = .70) was similar to the decline in White patients with normal spirometry (-1.97%; 95% CI, -2.26% to -1.69%; P = .70) regardless of the reference equation used. Patterns in FVC trajectory among both Black and White participants were not consistent among participants whose spirometry was recategorized between normal and abnormal compared with those whose spirometry remained normal or remained abnormal regardless of the reference equation used.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study found that Black patients whose lung function was recategorized from normal to abnormal using the GLI Global reference equation exhibited FEV1 decline similar to that in Black patients whose lung function was classified as abnormal regardless of which equation was used. This finding suggests that a race-neutral approach to spirometry interpretation may allow a more accurate identification of lung pathology in Black patients.

Changes in Spirometry Interpretative Strategies: Implications for Classifying COPD and Predicting Exacerbations

BACKGROUND

Recent guidelines for spirometry interpretation recommend both race-neutral reference equations and use of z score thresholds to define severity of airflow obstruction.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How does the transition from race-specific to race-neutral equations impact severity classifications for patients with COPD when using % predicted vs z score thresholds, and do changes in severity correspond to clinical risk?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included Black and White patients with COPD and available spirometry from the Johns Hopkins Health System. Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) 2012 (race-specific) equations and GLI Global (race-neutral) equations were used to determine FEV1 % predicted and z score values. Patients were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe disease according to % predicted or z score thresholds. Associations between a change in severity classification from race-specific to race-neutral with COPD exacerbations and all-cause hospitalizations were evaluated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

This cohort included 13,324 patients, of whom 9,232 patients (69.3%) were White (mean age, 65.7 years) and 4,092 patients (30.7%) were Black (mean age, 61.1 years). More Black than White patients showed a change in severity classification between approaches when using % predicted thresholds (20.2% vs 6.1%; P < .001), but not with z score thresholds (12.6% vs 12.3%; P = .68). An increased severity classification with a race-neutral approach was associated with increased risk of exacerbation when using z score thresholds (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.51-3.63), but not when using % predicted thresholds (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.61-1.93). A decreased severity classification with a race-neutral approach was associated with lower risk of exacerbation with both % predicted (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28-0.87) and z score (OR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.90) thresholds.

INTERPRETATION

The proportions of Black and White individuals reclassified were similar with z score thresholds, and changes in severity corresponded to clinical risk with z scores. These results support recent recommendations for use of race-neutral equations and z score thresholds for spirometry interpretation.