Spirometric reference values for an East-African population

Musafiri, Sanctus; van Meerbeeck, Jan P.; Musango, Laurent; Derom, Eric; Brusselle, Guy; Joos, Guy; Rutayisire, Claver

doi:10.1159/000337256

Title

Spirometric reference values for an East-African population

Author

Musafiri, Sanctus

van Meerbeeck, Jan P.

Musango, Laurent

Derom, Eric

Brusselle, Guy

Joos, Guy

Rutayisire, Claver

Abstract

Background: Accurate interpretation of lung function testing requires appropriate reference values. Unfortunately, few African countries have produced spirometric reference values for their populations. Objectives: The present study was carried out in order to establish normal lung function values for subjects living in Rwanda, East Africa. Methods: The study was conducted in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, and in the rural district of Huye in southern Rwanda. The variables studied were forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow. Multiple regression analysis was performed using age, height, weight and BMI as independent variables to obtain predicted equations for both sexes. Results: Predicted equations for normal lung functions were obtained from 740 healthy nonsmoking subjects; 394 were females and 346 were males. Minor differences in FEV1 and FVC were observed in comparison with other studies of Africans, African-Americans (difference in FEV1 and FVC of less than 5%), Chinese and Indians. When compared with selected studies from Caucasians and white Americans, our results for FEV1 and FVC were 9-12% and 16-18% lower in men and 12-23% and 17-28% lower in women, respectively. Conclusions: This study provides reference values for pulmonary function in a healthy, nonsmoking Rwandan population and enables comparisons to be made with other prediction equations from other populations. Spirometric reference values in our study were similar to those obtained in a study of black Americans by Hankinson et al. [Am J Crit Care Med 1999;159:179-187]. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

Language

English

Source (journal)

Respiration. - Basel

Publication

Basel : 2013

ISSN

0025-7931

DOI

10.1159/000337256

Volume/pages

85 :4 (2013) , p. 297-304