What does a pulmonary function test showing moderate simple restrictive defect with normal diffusion capacity indicate for a patient with normal spirometry, no significant response to bronchodilation with Albuterol (albuterol), and moderately decreased Total Lung Capacity (TLC)?

From the Guidelines

Your pulmonary function test results indicate a moderate restrictive lung pattern, meaning your lungs do not expand fully when you breathe in, but your ability to transfer oxygen into your bloodstream is normal, as evidenced by the normal DLCO result. This finding could be related to various conditions affecting your chest wall, lung tissue, or breathing muscles, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which is characterized by restrictive impairment and reduced lung volumes, as noted in the american thoracic society guidelines 1, and we'll need to correlate these results with your symptoms and possibly other tests to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

From the Research

Patient Information

• Your Pulmonary Function Test results show a moderate simple restrictive defect with normal diffusion capacity, which means that your lungs are not expanding as much as they should, but the ability of your lungs to transfer oxygen into your blood is normal.
• The test results include normal spirometry, a restrictive pattern on the flow volume loop, moderately decreased total lung capacity, and normal diffusing capacity, which are all consistent with a restrictive lung defect, and your doctor will consider these results along with your medical history and other tests to determine the best course of action 2, 3.