Abstract
Background: Ethnic origin affects spirometric prediction values. Our aims were to investigate the effect of ethnic origin on prediction equations in an immigrant-based society, identify possible deviations from commonly used prediction equations and analyze the effect of miscalculation in a large cohort of apparently healthy individuals. Methods: Healthy never-smokers participants from a large Israeli survey underwent lung function testing and were divided into two major ethnic groups: Ashkenazi Jews (AJ) and Sephardic Jews (SJ). Data were analyzed by multiple linear regressions. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio were measured according to ERS-ATS guidelines. Results: The study population comprised 3150 individuals (AJ=1817; SJ=1333). AJ tended to be older and taller than SJ (all p<0.005). Ethnicity entered as a significant regression variable for FVC for both genders and for FEV1 for females only. The final regression model for both FVC and FEV1 had R2=0.71 and the standard error of the estimate (SEE) for FVC and FEV1 were 0.54 and 0.43 L, respectively. The regression model for the FEV1/FVC ratio has less statistical strength (R2=0.06, SEE=6.15%). We found statistically significant underestimates of predicted lung volumes from the commonly used prediction equation for each ethnic group. Conclusions: Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews have different ranges of normal pulmonary function values. Lung function prediction equations in an immigrant-based society should be based on local and not previously reported regional equations and adjusted for ethnic attributed variance.
Original language | American English |
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Pages (from-to) | 919-926 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Respiratory Medicine |
Volume | 102 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2008 |
Keywords
- Ethnicity
- Forced expiratory volume
- Forced vital capacity
- Prediction equations
- Pulmonary function testing