[Reference values for maximal midexpiratory flow in black females]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Respiratory Physiology
• African Health Research

Background:

• Establishing normative data for pulmonary function tests is crucial for diagnosing respiratory diseases.
• Previous studies have shown ethnic and geographic variations in lung function parameters.
• Limited reference values exist for forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of vital capacity (FEF25-75) in West African populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine reference values for FEF25-75 in healthy black females residing in West Africa.
• To develop regression equations for predicting FEF25-75 based on age and height in this population.
• To compare the obtained reference values with those from other populations.

Main Methods:

• Spirometry was performed on 316 healthy black females aged 10–70 years in West Africa.
• Participants were screened for cardiopulmonary disease using a questionnaire and clinical examination.
• Regression analysis was used to establish prediction equations for FEF25-75.

Main Results:

• FEF25-75 values in West African females were generally lower compared to white Euro-Americans.
• FEF25-75 increased with age until 18–19 years, then showed a steady decline.
• Specific regression equations were derived for different age groups (10–18 and 19–70 years) incorporating age and height.

Conclusions:

• The study provides essential reference values for FEF25-75 in West African females, aiding in the diagnosis of obstructive lung diseases.
• Age and height are significant predictors of FEF25-75 in this population.
• The findings highlight the need for population-specific reference values in pulmonary function testing.