Consistency of Interpretation of Lung Sounds between Experienced Physicians and Automatic Analysis Using a Newly Developed Algorithm Based on the Acoustic Characteristics
Journal Title: Pulmonary Research and Respiratory Medicine – Open Journal - Year 2017, Vol 0, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Listening and interpreting lung sounds by a stethoscope has been an important component of screening and diagnosing lung diseases. However, this practice is vulnerable to inter-observer variations and difficulty in comparison with previous findings. In this study, we aimed to examine the consistency of interpretation of lung sounds between experienced physicians and automatic analysis using a newly developed algorithm based on the acoustic characteristics. Methods: In 39 patients with various respiratory diseases, lung sounds were recorded with a stethoscope microphone on the chest. We compared 1) evaluation of live lung sounds by the attending physician, 2) evaluation of recorded lung sounds by the attending physician, 3) evaluation of recorded lung sounds by other physicians who were blinded to the underlying diseases, and 4) results of automatic analysis using a newly developed algorithm based on the acoustic characteristics. Results: Among the lung sounds recorded, fine crackles were identified in 18 patients, coarse crackles in 5, and wheezes in 4. In 36(92%) patients, the interpretation of live lung sounds by the attending physician was consistent with that of recorded lung sounds by the same physician. In 23(59%) patients, the interpretation of recorded lung sounds by the attending physician agreed with that by other physicians. In 63% of the lung sounds with any inconsistency of interpretation, the consensus interpretation was same as the original interpretation by the attending physician. Automatic analysis and physicians’ diagnosis agreed in 62% of the study subjects. Conclusions: Repeated hearing of recorded lung sounds may exceed live auscultation in a clinic. Recording and analyzing lung sounds may contribute to further improvement of auscultation.ABBREVIATIONS: COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; UIP: Usual Interstitial Pneumonia.
Authors and Affiliations
Sadatomo Tasaka
Keywords
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- EP ID EP560118
- DOI 10.17140/PRRMOJ-SE-1-103
- Views 112
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