C. Kyphoscoliosis – Explanation
These results show a restrictive picture, which may result from a number of conditions including
kyphoscoliosis.
The other answers cause an obstructive picture.
Pulmonary function tests
Pulmonary function tests can be used to determine whether a respiratory disease is obstructive or
restrictive.
The table below summarises the main findings and gives some example conditions:
| Obstructive lung disease | Restrictive lung disease |
| FEV1 – significantly reduced FVC – reduced or normal FEV1% (FEV1/FVC) – reduced |
FEV1 – reduced FVC – significantly reduced FEV1% (FEV1/FVC) – normal or increased |
| Asthma COPD Bronchiectasis Bronchiolitis obliterans |
Pulmonary fibrosis Asbestosis Sarcoidosis Acute respiratory distress syndrome Infant respiratory distress syndrome Kyphoscoliosis Neuromuscular disorders |
