21:07 Apr 3, 2011 

and my approach is to analyze what is being said, the variability corresponds to the response in the set pulmonary functions. The variability is a statistical measure, all it is saying is that the response to respiratory testing in people with with cystic fibrosis who carry mutation AF508 widespread. On the other hand individuals who carry gene cftr present normal functions when tested (narrow variability). The range of pulmonary functions is the same in all of them.

20:36 Apr 3, 2011 

I see both terms as equal, so I guess my approach to translating this would be to use the shorter term so as not to overly confuse the reader. Lourdes, your links specifically refer to variability of testing, thus my disagreement.
JN

20:19 Apr 3, 2011 

of course the functions tested vary, according to each individual's response , in this case individual responses present wide variability. On the other hand saying broad range of pulmonary functions means that the functions themselves are of a wide range. As far as I know pulmonary function testing (PFTs) is done to check respiratory abilities and these abilities can vary (variability of response) but the tests are always about the same functions not a broad set of functions as you suggest

http://cysticfibrosis.about.com/od/livingwithcysticfibrosis/...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_variability

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003853.htm

http://www2.nau.edu/~daa/lecture/pft.htm