Ventilatory functions in Croatian population in comparison with European reference values

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary physiology
• Respiratory medicine
• Population health

Background:

• Established European equations for ventilatory function may not accurately represent Croatian populations.
• Accurate prediction equations are crucial for diagnosing respiratory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare ventilatory capacity in the Croatian population with existing European prediction equations.
• To develop new prediction equations for Croatian lung function.

Main Methods:

• Spirometry was performed on 2,482 healthy non-smokers in Croatia.
• Measurements included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and mid-expiratory flow rates (MEF50, MEF25).
• Multiple linear regressions were used to calculate reference values and develop new prediction equations.

Main Results:

• Healthy Croatians exhibited lower FVC and FEV1 values compared to ECSC/ERS and North American standards.
• Higher values for MEF50 and MEF25 were observed in the Croatian cohort.
• New prediction equations for ventilatory function specific to the Croatian population were derived.

Conclusions:

• Current European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) recommendations are inadequate for the Croatian population.
• Population-specific reference values are necessary for accurate assessment of ventilatory capacity in Croatia.