%0 Journal Article %A HM Ward %A BG Cooper %A MR Miller %T P37 Which Bronchodilator Reversibility Definition Best Avoids Bias %D 2012 %R 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202678.178 %J Thorax %P A79-A79 %V 67 %N Suppl 2 %X Introduction There is little agreement between the international respiratory societies over how bronchodilator reversibility (BDR) should be expressed. Several methods are currently being used worldwide including FEV1 change as % of predicted, as % from baseline, as absolute change or a combination of these methods. We explored 8 different definitions of BDR by testing the null hypothesis that the best method for expressing BDR should show no difference between the sexes. Methods We obtained the pre and post FEV1 results for the first BDR studies using salbutamol 400 µg via a spacer for white Caucasian subjects in our laboratory database up to 11/1/12 [n=5369, 49.6% men, mean (SD) age 50.7 (10.6) years]. The results were expressed as per the definitions of the international societies and also as their individual components if there were combined criteria: ≥15% change from baseline (ACCP 1974), >12% change from baseline and >200ml (ATS 1991 and ATS/ERS 2005), >9% change from predicted (ERS 1994), >10% change from predicted (ERS 1995), >400ml (BTS), >12% baseline, >200ml, and >12% predicted. Results The distribution of change was right skewed with 416 subjects having a fall in FEV1 post BD. The table shows the median baseline FEV1 and the male to female ratio for those meeting (+ve) and not meeting (-ve) the various BDR criteria. Definitions based on % change from baseline were biased to positive results in those with smaller pre BD FEV1. BDR criteria including absolute change were biased to those with a larger FEV1 and gave a higher proportion of males with a positive BDR result. The criterion >400ml FEV1 change gave the highest male to female ratio of 2.34. Criteria including both absolute and change as % predicted had both sex and FEV1 size bias whereas using only change as % predicted avoided these biases. Abstract P37 Table 1 Conclusion The most appropriate method for expressing bronchodilator response is based on change as % of the predicted FEV1 (ERS 1994 or 1995) as it avoids sex and FEV1 size bias. %U https://thorax.bmj.com/content/thoraxjnl/67/Suppl_2/A79.full.pdf