<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Background: Ethnic differences in lung function are recognized. However, most of the modern lung function equipments are pre-programmed with Caucasian reference values.Objective: Measure spirometric values among healthy Saudi male and female adults and compare with the Caucasian reference values in a standard spirometer.Methods: Thirty healthy Saudi young adults (15 males and 15 females; mean age 25 years) participated in this study. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC (%), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were recorded using a portable digital spirometer.Results: Mean values of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC (%) and MVV for the Saudi subjects were significantly lower than the Caucasians predicted values.Conclusion: Interpretation of lung function tests of Saudi subjects based on the Caucasian prediction equations is generally not valid, as the parameters of lung function tests in Saudi subjects are lower than the Caucasian reference values. The present results underline an urgent need for larger studies to develop prediction equations based on normative spirometric values for Saudi population involving subjects of all ages and both genders living in different climates of the country.</abstract>

Background: Ethnic differences in lung function are recognized. However, most of the modern lung function equipments are pre-programmed with Caucasian reference values.Objective: Measure spirometric values among healthy Saudi male and female adults and compare with the Caucasian reference values in a standard spirometer.Methods: Thirty healthy Saudi young adults (15 males and 15 females; mean age 25 years) participated in this study. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC (%), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were recorded using a portable digital spirometer.Results: Mean values of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC (%) and MVV for the Saudi subjects were significantly lower than the Caucasians predicted values.Conclusion: Interpretation of lung function tests of Saudi subjects based on the Caucasian prediction equations is generally not valid, as the parameters of lung function tests in Saudi subjects are lower than the Caucasian reference values. The present results underline an urgent need for larger studies to develop prediction equations based on normative spirometric values for Saudi population involving subjects of all ages and both genders living in different climates of the country.

Ventilatory function among healthy young Saudi adults: a comparison with Caucasian reference values

Rehabilitation Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia

Correspondece: MS, PhD, PT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, PO BOX 10219, Riyadh 11433,

Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo,

Asian Biomedicine

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Background: Ethnic differences in lung function are recognized. However, most of the modern lung function equipments are pre-programmed with Caucasian...

Ventilatory function among healthy young Saudi adults: a comparison with Caucasian reference values

Article Category: Brief communication (Original)

Published Online: Feb 04, 2017

Page range: 157 - 161

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5372/1905-7415.0501.020

Keywords
Caucasian, pulmonary function test, Saudi healthy adults, ventilatory function

© 2017

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Ventilatory function among healthy young Saudi adults: a comparison with Caucasian reference values

Article Category: Brief communication (Original)

Published Online: Feb 04, 2017

Page range: 157 - 161

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5372/1905-7415.0501.020

KeywordsCaucasian, pulmonary function test, Saudi healthy adults, ventilatory function

© 2017

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Caucasian, pulmonary function test, Saudi healthy adults, ventilatory function