Authors
Hankinson-JL; Odencrantz-JR; Fedan-KB
Source
Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999 Jan; 159(1):179-187
Abstract
Spirometric reference values for Caucasians, African-Americans, and Mexican-Americans 8-80 yr of age were developed from 7,429 asymptomatic, lifelong nonsmoking participants in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Spirometry examinations followed the 1987 American Thoracic Society recommendations, and the quality of the data was continuously monitored and maintained. Caucasians subjects had higher mean FVC and FEV1 values than did Mexican-American and African-American subjects across the entire age range. However, Caucasian and Mexican-American subjects had similar FVC and FEV1 values with respect to height, and African-American subjects had lower values. These differences may be partially due to differences in body build: observed Mexican-Americans were shorter than caucasian subjects of the same age, and African-Americans on average have a smaller trunk:leg ratio than do Caucasians. Reference values and lower limits of normal were derived using a piecewise polynomial model with age and height as predictors. These reference values encompass a wide age range for three race/ethnic groups and should prove useful for diagnostic and research purpose
Keywords
Pulmonary-system-disorders; Race-factors; Age-factors; Pulmonary-testing; Lung-function
Contact
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, Morgantown, WV 26506
Document Type
Journal Article
Source Name
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine