FVC and FEV Reference Values for Beninese Individuals Aged 17 - 20 Years

Abstract

Background: 1) To determine forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) for Beninese individuals of both sexes aged 17 - 20 years; 2) Compare the observed values to those calculated based on the algorithms of the spirometer used. Materials and Methods: The FVC and FEV values were first measured using a Micro Quark spirometer and then calculated from equations for the European Respiratory Society-93 (ERS-93) in 148 subjects, including 46 girls. In each age group, the measured values for the height of the subjects were considered the only variables used to calculate the equations for FVC and FEV with their 95% confidence intervals. The means of the FEV and FVC values were obtained by univariate analysis. Results: The calculated FEV and FVC values were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those observed by spirometry. Conclusion: The correction factors incorporated in spirometers imported from Europe no longer seem appropriate to measure the physical characteristics of African subjects. The differences between the two methods of assessment should be used as new ethnic correction factors.