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Reference spirometric values in healthy Nicaraguan male workers
Author(s) -
Quintero Carlos,
Bodin Lennart,
Andersson Kjell
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199601)29:1<41::aid-ajim6>3.0.co;2-1
Subject(s) - medicine , spirometry , reference values , demography , asthma , sociology
The main objective was to derive reference equations for the FVC, FEV 1 , and FEV 1 /FVC ratio for healthy Nicaraguan male workers without current occupational exposure to agents hazardous to the lungs. Age, height, and weight were included as independent variables in the analysis, but only age and height showed significant effects on the indices studied. A nonlinear relationship with age was observed for FVC and FEV 1 , with a shift in the slope at the age of 32 years. Linear, quadratic, and multiphase models were tested in order to assess the best reference equation. The multi‐phase model most closely fitted the values measured. The FEV 1 /FVC ratio showed a significant linear negative correlation with age. A comparison between the equations derived from this material and those reported in other studies revealed substantial differences. Racial, genetic, nutritional, work and sociocultural factors could account for the differences. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.