Spirometry Reference Values for Women and Men 65 to 85 Years of Age: Cardiovascular Health Study

TLDR

Spirometry was performed on 5,201 elderly adults with rigorous quality control, and reference equations for FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC were derived from a healthy subgroup of 777 participants, including a separate analysis of black subjects. Less than 6% of participants failed to perform three acceptable maneuvers, and the derived equations showed predicted values up to 20% lower than those from commonly used US reference equations.

Abstract

Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry in 5,201 ambulatory elderly participants of the Cardiovascular Health Study, sampled from four communities. A stringent quality assurance program exceeded American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommendations for spirometry. Less than 6% of the participants were unable to perform three acceptable spirometry maneuvers. A “healthy” subgroup of 777 women and men 65 to 85 yr of age was identified by excluding smokers and those with lung disease and other factors determined to independently, significantly, and negatively influence the FEV1. Results from black participants were examined separately. Reference equations and normal ranges for FEV1, FVC, and the FEV1/FVC ratio were determined from the healthy group. The results demonstrate differences in predicted values as great as 20% (0.5 to 1 L) for elderly patients when compared with the spirometry reference equations that are most commonly used in the United States.