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Abstract
The quality of spirometric data is conventionally assessed in terms of acceptability and reproducibility . Volume-time ( curve ) datasets from the Biobank pilot, baseline and repeat examinations were analysed to derive quality control indices for acceptability and a wider range of spirometric measures than are currently available in the main Biobank dataset. These have been assembled into a rectangular dataset to be made available to other Biobank users.
Warning messages automatically generated by the Vitalograph spirometer correlated imperfectly with quality control measures derived from the curve datasets. One-third of spirograms that failed internationally recommended acceptability criteria generated no Vitalograph warning message. Since not all the spirograms with blank or accept messages can be assumed to be of good quality, there are advantages in using the directly derived quality indices to evaluate acceptability.
The choice of reproducibility threshold (comparing measures from two blows on the same occasion) was informed by assessing the reliability (between-occasion correlation) of one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), comparing results from the baseline examination to those from the repeat examination performed after an interval of 2-7 years.