Background: Usefulness of any test is determined by the availability of suitable standards. Lung function parameters are dependent on multiple anthropometric, genetic, and environmental factors. Some of these effects can be transient; hence, updating of normative standards for pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters on a regular basis in every ethnically distinct society is of overriding importance.
Aims and Objective: To correlate lung function parameters [obtained from forced vital capacity (FVC) maneuver] with anthropometric variables and age, and to derive normative data for these parameters using the best possible combination of independent variables.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of lung function in a non-hospital-based early adolescent male population. It included 91 male children in the age group of 1015 years. Lung function parameters were obtained using a computerized spirometer with Fleisch-type pneumotachograph, which were subjected to correlational analysis with height, weight, and age. Regression analyses were performed for PFT parameters by introducing age/anthropometric data as independent variables.
Results: All PFT parameters except forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/FVC showed positive correlation with height, weight and age. Regression analysis yielded that height alone (FEV1 and MEF25), age alone (MEF50, MEF75, MMEF, and PEF), and age with height (FVC) contributed for the variance in these PFT parameters.
Conclusion: A population-, age-, and sex-specific linear prediction equations are presented for various PFT parameters based on the cross-sectional study conducted in an early adolescent male population from south India.
Key words: Ethnicity; Pulmonary Function; Reference Standards
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