[Recommendation of new reference values for spirometry and body plethysmography]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Physiology

Context:

• Established spirometry reference values from the European Community for Steel and Coal (ECCS) (1983/1993) are widely used but may not reflect current population lung function.
• A comprehensive review and update of spirometry reference values were necessary to align with contemporary population data and improve diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose:

• To present new, updated reference values for spirometry, including mean values and Lower Limits of Normal (LLN).
• To provide a more accurate and current standard for assessing lung function in diverse age groups (3-95 years).

Summary:

• The European Respiratory Society (ERS) task force published new spirometry reference values in 2012, derived from extensive data (over 74,000 healthy individuals).
• These new ERS values are generally higher by about 10% compared to the older ECCS values, particularly in the elderly.
• The study recommends adopting these new ERS values and integrating them with updated body plethysmography data, replacing outdated ECCS guidelines.

Impact:

• Facilitates more accurate diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases by providing current lung function benchmarks.
• Enhances clinical decision-making by offering reference values that better represent today's population, especially the aging demographic.
• Promotes standardization in respiratory testing by replacing older, potentially discrepant, guidelines with evidence-based recommendations.