Spirometry reference equations for central European populations from school age to old age

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Biostatistics
• Population Health

Background:

• Accurate spirometry reference values are crucial for interpreting lung function tests.
• Existing spirometry equations are not representative of central European populations.
• Regular updates and population-specific data are needed for reliable spirometry reference values.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish novel spirometry reference equations for central European individuals.
• The study aimed to cover a wide age range, from 8 to 90 years.
• To provide updated lung function data for this specific demographic.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from a central European cohort spanning January 1993 to December 2010.
• Employed Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) for data modeling.
• The study included a large and diverse population sample.

Main Results:

• Developed spirometry reference equations based on 118,891 individuals (51% female, 49% male).
• Included 18,211 children (15.3%) under 18 years of age.
• The derived equations provide comprehensive lung function data across the specified age groups.

Conclusions:

• Successfully developed spirometry reference equations for central European populations (ages 8–90).
• These equations are suitable for broad implementation in various clinical settings.
• The findings contribute to more accurate diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions.