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Reference values for spirometry - report from the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden studies
Helena Backman1, Anne Lindberg2, Anders Odén3
1The OLIN Unit, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
European Clinical Respiratory Journal
|November 12, 2015
Summary
New spirometry reference values for Swedish adults were developed and validated. These local values are more accurate than global standards for assessing lung function in Swedish populations.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Biostatistics
- Population Health
Background:
- Abnormal lung function is assessed using spirometry reference values.
- Regular evaluation and updating of spirometry reference values are recommended.
- Existing reference values may not accurately reflect diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate new spirometry reference values for Swedish adults.
- To evaluate the external validity of these new values in a different Swedish region.
- To compare the new values with the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) reference values.
Main Methods:
- Multivariable linear regression models were applied to spirometric data from 501 healthy, non-smoking Swedish adults (aged 22-91).
- Age and height were used as predictors, with age-dependent splines for a smooth fit.
- Mean values and lower limits of normal (5th percentiles) were calculated.
Main Results:
- The developed regression models provided unbiased spirometric estimates.
- The new reference values demonstrated validity for both northern and south-western Swedish samples.
- Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) values for FEV1 and FVC were generally lower than the new Swedish values.
Conclusions:
- The new Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden reference values are valid and show high external validity.
- Local, population-specific reference values are preferable to global standards when available.
- This study supports the use of tailored spirometry reference values for accurate lung function assessment.