College
College of Health Professions
Date of Last Revision
2026-05-07 06:09:06
Major
Respiratory Therapy
Honors Course
RESP 430
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are associated with significant physical, mental, and social burdens that impact patients’ quality of life (Franssen et al., 2018). Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is an essential diagnostic test for identifying and managing pulmonary conditions. Missed or delayed follow-up after abnormal PFT results may derail disease management and lead to frequent hospital readmissions, thereby disease management and patient outcomes.
According to Braveman et al. (2010), socioeconomic status (SES), defined by factors such as income, education, and employment, has been widely associated with disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. This paper examines the impact of SES on follow-up rates after abnormal PFT results.
Method
A literature review was conducted to evaluate existing research on socioeconomic disparities present in pulmonary populations. Relevant peer-reviewed articles were selected and analyzed to examine SES effects on respiratory disease outcomes, access to pulmonary care, and patient adherence. Findings were synthesized to inform the effects of SES on patient follow-up after abnormal PFT results.
Results
Existing literature shows that lower SES is consistently associated with poorer respiratory outcomes, reduced access to pulmonary diagnostic testing, and decreased adherence to treatment (Simms-Williams et al., 2024; Akinyemi et al., 2024; Gassesse et al, 2025). Patients from lower SES groups who face barriers such as limited access to care, transportation issues, financial constraints, and lower health literacy also experience higher rates of emergency visits and hospitalizations (Ore & Ireland, 2015; George et al., 2018; Qin et al., 2025). Higher SES patients are more likely to receive spirometry at diagnosis, while lower SES populations face both underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis due to gaps in access and testing (Aaron et al., 2018). Adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation also differs significantly, with rates around 50% in lower SES populations compared to approximately 70% in higher SES groups, highlighting a measurable disparity in follow-up and engagement (Grosbois et al., 2019).
Conclusion
The findings of this evaluation suggest that SES plays a significant role in respiratory health outcomes and access to care, which reasonably extends to PFT follow-up rates. Though existing literature supports the presence of disparities, further research is needed to directly assess follow-up behaviors and to develop interventions that improve continuity of care for lower socioeconomic populations.
Research Sponsor
Stacia Biddle
First Reader
Eric Smith
Second Reader
Marc Haas
Honors Faculty Advisor
Stacia Biddle
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Community Engaged Scholarship
No
Recommended Citation
Agidigbo, Celine, "Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Pulmonary FunctionTest Follow-Up Rates" (2026). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2192.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2192
Included in
Health Services Research Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Pulmonology Commons