European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), especially spirometry is an established mode of
assessing chronic lung diseases especially Asthma. Spirometric reference values are essential in assessing
pulmonary function. Normative values of these tests differ from population to population and with
difference in methods and apparatus used. The normal standards for pulmonary function measurements
among the hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh is not reported yet.
Aim: To measure the normative values of spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEFR) in children of 5-
18 years age range living in and around Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at M.M Medical College and
Hospital, Kumarhatti, Solan, HP, India and comprised school-going children and nearby community aged
5-18 years. After noting their gender, age, height and weight, the pulmonary function test measures,
Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC%, FEF 25-75%
and peak expiratory flow rate were taken. Simple and multiple regression models were used for the
prediction of pulmonary function test values. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis
Results: Of the 200 participants, 110(55%) were boys and 90 (45%) were girls. The mean age was
12.47±3.27 years. The means height, weight, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, force vital capacity,
peak expiratory flow rate FEV1/FVC% and FEF 25-75% were 147.39±16.07cm, 41.30±12.38kg,
2.54±0.70, 2.90±0.8, 5.42±1.30, 87.41±3.85% and 2.90±0.84 respectively. All the three variables - Age,
Height and Weight-had significant linear relationship and positive correlation with the pulmonary
function test values (p0.7). Among these three variables maximum correlation was found with height
(r=>0.8).