Normal spirometry, gas transfer and lung volume values in Papua, Indonesia

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Human Physiology
• Population Health

Background:

• Spirometry is vital for diagnosing and managing chronic lung diseases.
• Normal lung function varies significantly across different populations.
• Existing reference values may not accurately represent Indonesian populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine lung function reference values for Papuan and non-Papuan Indonesian adults.
• To improve the clinical and research utility of spirometry, gas transfer, and lung volume measures in Indonesia.
• To investigate differences in lung function between Papuan and non-Papuan Indonesians.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey of healthy adults (≥18 years) in Papua, Indonesia.
• Spirometry, gas transfer, and total lung capacity (TLC) measurements were performed.
• Regression models were developed to establish normal lung function values.

Main Results:

• Lung function values differed between Papuan and non-Papuan Indonesian populations.
• Papuan highland residents showed higher gas transfer and TLC compared to lowland Papuans.
• Spirometry values were similar but not directly comparable to Papua New Guinea populations.

Conclusions:

• Reference values for lung function vary between Indonesian ethnic groups and non-Indonesian populations.
• Proportional correction using non-Indonesian values may be inappropriate for Indonesian populations.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the causes (innate vs. environmental) of observed lung function differences.