Spirometry Reference Equations for Central European Populations from School Age to Old Age

Abstract

BackgroundSpirometry reference values are important for the interpretation of spirometry results. Reference values should be updated regularly, derived from a population as similar to the population for which they are to be used and span across all ages. Such spirometry reference equations are currently lacking for central European populations.ObjectiveTo develop spirometry reference equations for central European populations between 8 and 90 years of age.MaterialsWe used data collected between January 1993 and December 2010 from a central European population. The data was modelled using “Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape” (GAMLSS).ResultsThe spirometry reference equations were derived from 118'891 individuals consisting of 60'624 (51%) females and 58'267 (49%) males. Altogether, there were 18'211 (15.3%) children under the age of 18 years.ConclusionWe developed spirometry reference equations for a central European population between 8 and 90 years of age that can be implemented in a wide range of clinical settings.

Increase in Airway Obstruction between 1993 and 2012 in Switzerland. An Observational Study

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“…21e23 To further investigate the COPD prevalence in the general Norwegian population of the present study, we performed additional analysis of LLN-defined COPD prevalence (E-Table 2 and 4). The analysis was based on European reference equations from the Swiss LuftiBus study, 25 and gave a COPD prevalence of 8.7%. This prevalence reduction is in accordance with what others have found.…”

“…COPD was defined according to the GOLD guidelines as post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.7 for the main analyses. 2 In addition, we also analysed COPD in 2003e05 defined as FEV1/FVC < lower limit of normal, using recent European reference equations 25 Informed consent was obtained from each participant. The study was approved by The Regional Committee of Medical Research Ethics (Bergen, Norway).…”

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