Lung volumes in healthy nonsmoking adults.

TLDR

The study measured total lung capacity, functional residual capacity, and residual volume in 245 healthy nonsmoking adults using a single‑breath helium dilution technique and derived prediction equations by multiple linear regression. The resulting equations closely match those from multiple‑breath gas equilibration methods, with 95 % confidence intervals accurately approximated by twice the standard error rather than ±20 % of the predicted value, and radiographic TLC did not differ significantly from helium dilution TLC.

Abstract

Total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity, residual volume, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were measured in 245 healthy nonsmoking person (122 women, 123 men) using a single-breath helium technique. Prediction equations for lung volumes were generated by multiple linear regression. The resultant equations are similar to previously published equations using multiple-breath gas equilibration techniques. Measured 95% confidence intervals can be closely approximated by using two times the standard error of the estimate for each equation, but cannot be approximated by using +/- 20% of the predicted value. Radiographic TLC was not significantly different from the helium dilution TLC.