Spirometric lung function tests in normal non-smoking Ethiopian men and women.

Forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio (FEV1%), forced expiratory flow (FEF 200-1200), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were measured in 143 male and 117 female healthy Ethiopians. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to correlate these indices with anthropometric variables. The results show that FVC, FEV1, and PEFR give significant regressions with age and height in both sexes. These indices have significant regression coefficients with percentage body fat, weight, and fat free mass (FFM) expressed independently of height in the men; only PEFR is significantly regressed on weight and FFM in the women. FVC and FEV1 in Ethiopians are found to be lower than in caucasians and higher than in other Africans, Chinese, and Indians. Prediction equations are provided for future use for obtaining reference values for lung function indices in similar subjects.