Static Lung Volumes: Reference Values from a Latin Population of Spanish Descent

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a set of prediction equations and 90% confidence intervals for static lung volumes using the multibreath helium equilibration method from a sample of asymptomatic Caucasian subjects of Spanish descent. Moreover, these equations were compared with those of previous studies. Methods: Measurements of static lung volumes using techniques recommended by the American Thoracic Society and the European Community for Steel and Coal were carried out on a selected sample of 591 healthy nonsmoking volunteers (305 men and 286 women) aged 18–88 years, living in the metropolitan area of Valencia, on the east coast of Spain. Multiple regression analysis using height, age and weight as independent variables were used to provide predicted values for both sexes. These reference values were compared with other sets of prediction equations reported in the literature using an independent sample of 69 subjects (32 men and 37 women). Results: Simple linear regression equations using age, height and body weight predicted all the subdivisions of lung volumes (vital capacity, expiratory reserve volume (ERV), inspiratory capacity, functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV), total lung capacity (TLC), FRC/TLC and RV/TLC) as well as more complex equational models. The distribution of residuals fulfilled the assumptions of multiple regression analysis (independence, homoscedasticity and Gaussian distribution of residuals), except for ERV, using simple linear models. The derived equations did not differ significantly from most of the previously reported equations and were usually superior in their ability to predict the lung volumes. Conclusions: The use of the present prediction equations is recommended in the Latin population of Spanish descent and in populations with similar Caucasian characteristics.

Static lung volumes and airway resistance reference values in healthy adults

“…Differences between observed and predicted values of RV and TLC from previously reported series 1,5,8,9 and the present prediction equations are shown in Table 4. Age‐related differences between former and present reference equations are shown in supporting Tables S1 and S2.…”

Reference Equations for Static Lung Volumes and TL_CO from a Population Sample in Northern Greece

“…Comparisons with the reference equations for TLC, RV and FRC provided by ERS [6], Crapo et al [9], Cordero et al [17] and Garcia-Rio et al [18] are shown in figures 1 and 2 for males and females, respectively. Comparison with the reference equations for TL CO provided by Crapo et al [19], Knudson et al [20], Thompson et al [21] and Aguilaniu et al [22] is shown in figure 3 for males and females separately.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, our study is the largest all-age reference equation-deriving study for TL CO and one of the largest for static lung volumes [17,18]. The following basic criteria, required to obtain the reference values of static lung volumes and diffusion capacity, were fulfilled in our study: (1) a sufficient number of subjects for each sex with an equal representation of each age group; (2) strict inclusion criteria: healthy nonsmoking individuals from the mixed urban and rural populations; (3) standardization of measurements and quality control procedures according to the latest ATS/ERS recommendations, and (4) accurate statistical analysis.…”

Ribcage measurements indicate greater lung capacity in Neanderthals and Lower Pleistocene hominins compared to modern humans

“…Had we used standard human equations to estimate the Kebara 2 TLC value, we would have obtained values of 6.18 l, 6.20 l and 6.36 l using the formulae from Quanjer et al 48 , Cordero et al 49 and Neder et al 50 , respectively. Therefore, both Kebara 2 and Tabun 1 present much larger values of TLC using our equations than when using human standard equations.…”