Spirometry reference values for an andean high-altitude population

Abstract

We compared the spirometric values of people living at High Altitude at the Andean Plateau with those predicted for lowland population.

Rationale: Spirometry reference values are not yet available for the millions of people living at high altitude in the Andean High Plateau.

Objective: To obtain spirometric prediction equations from a healthy subset of adults living in Argentina at 3440m above sea level.

Methods: We randomly recruited 172 healthy men and 235 healthy women, ages 20-70. Spirometry was done according to ATS/ERS standards. Reference equations were computed using regression analysis.

Results: The resulting prediction equations: For men: FVC=0.0407*height (cm)-0.0250*age(years)-0.81;SEE 0.518. FEV1=0.0327*height (cm)-0.0282*age(years)-0.25;SEE 0.414. For women: FVC(liters)=0.0464*height(cm)-0.0222*age(years)-2.62;SEE 0.396. FEV1(liters)=0.0343*height(cm)-0.0218*age(years)-1.40;SEE 0.316.

Conclusions: These results establish spirometric-prediction equations for the population studied and further demonstrate: (1) a linear decline of FVC and FEV₁ with age for both genders, (2) age and height satisfactorily predict both parameters, (3) supra-normal values for this population were found when compared to those predicted by lowland Caucasian equations.

Keywords: High altitude; Lung function tests; Normal values; Reference ranges; Respiratory physiology; Spirometry.