Multi-ethnic reference values for spirometry for the 3-95-yr age range: the global lung function 2012 equations.

ABSTRACT: The aim of the Task Force was to derive continuous prediction equations and their lower limits of normal for spirometric indices, which are applicable globally. Over 160,000 data points from 72 centres in 33 countries were shared with the European Respiratory Society Global Lung Function Initiative. Eliminating data that could not be used (mostly missing ethnic group, some outliers) left 97,759 records of healthy nonsmokers (55.3% females) aged 2.5-95 yrs. Lung function data were collated and prediction equations derived using the LMS method, which allows simultaneous modelling of the mean (mu), the coefficient of variation (sigma) and skewness (lambda) of a distribution family. After discarding 23,572 records, mostly because they could not be combined with other ethnic or geographic group

SUBMITTER: Quanjer PH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3786581 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature