Mr Phoso, a 60-year-old visits his General Practitioner complaining of difficulty in breathing that is worsening with exhalation

Mr Phoso, a 60-year-old visits his General Practitioner complaining of difficulty in breathing that is worsening with exhalation. His history is remarkable for heavy smoking over the last 15 years (20 sticks of cigarettes a day) and recurrent upper respiratory infections.

Scenario continues:

Mr Phoso was then referred to a team of pulmonologists to discuss his case. In their discussion, it transpired that Mr Phoso was suspected to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) based on his symptoms of difficulty in breathing that was worsening with exhalation, fatigue, dizziness and peripheral edema. Scenario continues: Mr Phoso was then referred to a team of pulmonologists to discuss his case. In their discussion, it transpired that Mr Phoso was suspected to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) based on his symptoms of difficulty in breathing that was worsening with exhalation, fatigue, dizziness and peripheral edema.

Would you expect the following lung parameters to increase or decrease after assessment of Mr Phoso’s lung function: “Explain your reasoning?”

– Forced vital capacity (FVC)

– Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

– Functional residual volume (FRC)

– Total lung capacity (TLC)