Respiratory function among Malaysian aboriginals.

Respiratory function tests have been performed on 43 Malaysian aboriginals. The forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) were considerably below, and the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) slightly below, the predicted values. The FEV and PEFR decreased more rapidly with advancing age than predicted from western standards. These findings may be due to physiological differences or may be the result of chronic purulent bronchitis which is common among the aboriginals.