From deficiency to handicap in the respiratory field: lung function tests (LFT) norms and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires validated for the Tunisian population.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this literature review is to gather all the LFT norms available for the Tunisian population, as well as QDV questionnaires specific to chronic respiratory patients that have been validated in Tunisia.

METHODS

This review included a literature search using the PubMed and Sciencedirect databases. The reference lists of the retrieved English/French articles were searched for any additional reference. Specific research has been carried out for each stage of the natural evolution of chronic diseases. For LFT used in the exploration of deficiency, the key-words were ("respiratory function test" OR "spirometry" OR "plethysmography" OR "exhaled fraction of oxide nitric" OR "lung diffusion" OR "peak nasal inspiratory flow" OR "Lung age") AND ("Tunisia" OR "North Africa") AND ("reference equation" OR "reference value" OR "standard reference"). For LFT used in the exploration of incapacity, the key-words were ("exercise test" OR "maximal oxygen uptake" OR "cardiorespiratory test" OR "six minute walk distance" OR "six-minute walk distance" OR "6-minute walk distance" OR "six-min walk distance" OR "6-min walk distance" OR "six minute walking distance" OR "six-minute walking distance" OR "6MWD") AND ("Tunisia" OR "North Africa") AND ("reference equation" OR "reference value" OR "standard reference"). For the QOL questionnaires used in pneumology, the key-words were: ("quality of life" OR "QOL") AND ("respiratory" OR "pulmonology") AND ("Tunisia" OR "North Africa").

RESULTS

As part of deficiency exploration, 11 Tunisian norms are available. As part of incapacity exploration, three Tunisian norms are available for the 6-minute walk test. Only one QOL questionnaire specific to chronic respiratory patients has been validated in Tunisia.

CONCLUSION

Despite its richness, the Tunisian "bank" of norms for LFT and QOL questionnaires has yet to be enriched.