Spirometric standards for healthy adult lifetime nonsmokers in Australia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop suitable spirometric prediction equations for asymptomatic Caucasian adults in the Australian population. These equations were compared with those of previous studies and constants were presented which, when associated with the prediction equations, permitted the calculation of 5% tolerance intervals for lung function. The 1,302 subjects (aged 18-78 yrs) who underwent pneumotachograph spirometry, using techniques recommended by the American Thoracic Society, were a sample from metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. The variables recorded were sex, age, height, mass, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75%) and FEV1/FVC ratio. Complete data were obtained for 614 females and 621 males, but the sample was reduced to 249 females and 165 males when only lifetime nonsmokers with no adverse bronchial symptoms were selected. Prediction equations of normal lung function were obtained from the reduced sample by multiple regression, with age, height and functions of both age and height as predictors. The derived equations did not differ significantly from the majority of previously reported equations and were generally superior in their ability to predict the lung function of the asymptomatic ex-smokers who were part of the original sample. Analysis of the sensitivity, specificity and predictive power of 5% tolerance limits for the presence of symptoms revealed the important roles of FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% in diagnostic testing. The present prediction equations are recommended for use on the Australian population and on populations with similar Caucasian characteristics.