Differential Diagnosis for FEV1/FVC 87, FEV1 70, FVC 67
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Asthma: The FEV1/FVC ratio is slightly decreased, indicating an obstructive pattern, but the ratio is still relatively high. The significant reduction in both FEV1 and FVC suggests a mixed obstructive and restrictive pattern, but asthma can present with varying degrees of obstruction and sometimes a component of restriction due to airway remodeling or concurrent conditions.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Although the FEV1/FVC ratio is higher than typically seen in COPD, some patients with mild COPD or those with a significant restrictive component may present similarly.
- Bronchiectasis: This condition can cause obstructive lung disease with a variable degree of airway obstruction and sometimes a restrictive component due to parenchymal damage.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) with Pulmonary Hypertension: While primarily a sleep disorder, OSA can lead to pulmonary hypertension, which might cause a restrictive pattern on pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and the obstructive component could be from the OSA itself or co-existing conditions like obesity.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pulmonary Embolism: Although PFTs are not typically used to diagnose pulmonary embolism, a significant drop in both FEV1 and FVC could be seen in large or multiple pulmonary emboli due to decreased lung perfusion and potential areas of atelectasis.
- Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): Certain types of ILD can present with a mixed pattern on PFTs, especially if there's a significant obstructive component due to co-existing conditions or if the disease process affects both the lung parenchyma and airways.
Rare Diagnoses
- Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM): A rare lung disease that primarily affects women, leading to cystic lung lesions and can present with obstructive and sometimes restrictive lung function abnormalities.
- Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss Syndrome): A form of vasculitis that can affect the lungs, causing both obstructive and restrictive patterns due to inflammation and potential parenchymal damage.
- Cystic Fibrosis: Typically diagnosed in childhood, but mild forms or late diagnoses can occur in adults, presenting with obstructive lung disease and sometimes a restrictive component due to chronic infection and fibrosis.