Table 4.

Tests typically used to establish a COPD diagnosis, by physician type: Continuing to Confront COPD International Survey, 2012–2013

Diagnostic test	PCP (n=971) %			RS (n=336) %			P-value*
	Yes	No	Not available	Yes	No	Not available
Spirometry testing	82	2	16	100	0	0	<0.001
Prebronchodilator	22			15
Postbronchodilator	7			21
Both	69			64
Peak expiratory flow	55	29	16	43	51	6	<0.001
Bronchodilator responsiveness	68	23	9	80	19	2	<0.001
Oral corticosteroid responsiveness	38	52	9	28	65	7	<0.001
Chest X-ray	76	11	13	89	10	2	<0.001
Blood test/oximetry	45	32	23	69	27	4	<0.001
CAT/CT/MRI scans	21	53	25	44	51	5	<0.001
Patient-reported outcomes (eg, dyspnea measure or COPD-assessment test)	67	28	5	81	18	1	<0.001

Note:

^*P-value comparing PCP to RS for responses of yes versus no/not available, adjusted for country and awareness of GOLD global strategy.

Abbreviations: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; PCP, primary care physician; RS, respiratory specialist; CAT, computerized axial tomography; CT, computerized tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; GOLD, Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.