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Published on: February 9, 2022
Interpreting longitudinal spirometry: weight gain and other factors affecting the recognition of excessive FEV1
Mei Lin Wang1, Bipin H Avashia, Edward L Petsonk
1Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA.
Background:
Excessive FEV(1) loss in an individual or a group can reflect hazardous exposures and development of lung disease. However, multiple factors may affect FEV(1) measurements.
Methods:
Using medical screening data collected in 1884 chemical plant workers between 1973 and 2003, the influence of multiple factors on repeated measurements of FEV(1) was examined.
Results:
The FEV(1) level was associated with age, height, race, sex, cigarette smoking, changes in body weight, and spirometer model. After controlling for these factors, longitudinal FEV(1) decline averaged 23.8 ml/year for white males; an additional loss of 8.3 ml was associated with one pack-year smoking and 5.4 ml with a one pound weight gain. Depending on the spirometer model, FEV(1) differed by up to 95 ml.
Conclusions:
The study results provide quantitative estimates of the effect of specific factors on FEV(1), and should be useful to health professionals in the evaluation of accelerated lung function declines.
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