Spirometric Reference Values for Advanced Age from a South German Population

Karrasch, Stefan ; Flexeder, Claudia; Behr, Jürgen; Holle, Rolf; Huber, Rudolf M.; Jörres, Rudolf A. ; Nowak, Dennis ; Peters, Annette ; Wichmann, Heinz-Erich; Heinrich, Joachim und Schulz, Holger (2013): Spirometric Reference Values for Advanced Age from a South German Population. In: Respiration, No. 3: pp. 210-219

Abstract

Background: The diagnostic use of lung function using spirometry dependson the validity of reference equations. A multitude of spirometricprediction values have been published, but in most of these studiesolder age groups are underrepresented. Objectives: The aim of thepresent study was to establish new spirometric reference values foradvanced age and to compare these to recent prediction equations frompopulation-based studies. Methods: In the present study spirometry wasperformed in a population-based sample from the KORA-F4 and KORA-Agecohorts (2006-2009, Augsburg, Germany) comprising 592 never-smokingsubjects aged 42-89 years and with no history of respiratory disease.Using quantile regression analysis, equations for the median and lowerlimit of normal were derived for indices characterizing the expiratoryflow-volume curve: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vitalcapacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forcedexpiratory flow rates at 25, 50 and 75% of exhaled FVC (FEF25, FEF50and FEF75). Results: FEV1 and FVC were slightly higher, and PEF waslower compared to recently published equations. Importantly, forcedexpiratory flow rates at middle and low lung volume, as putativeindicators of small airway disease, were in good agreement with recentdata, especially for older age. Conclusion: Our study providesup-to-date reference equations for all major indices of flow-volumecurves in middle and advanced age in a South German population. Thesmall deviations from published equations indicate that there might besome regional differences of lung function within the Caucasianpopulation of advanced age in Europe.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine; Medicine > Institute and Polyclinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0025-7931
• Alliance/National Licence: This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
• Language: English