Japanese-American pulmonary reference values: influence of environment on anthropology and physiology

Anthropometric measurements and pulmonary function (volumes, flows, and flow-volume curves) were evaluated in a community study of 59 male and 59 female, nonsmoking, healthy Japanese-American volunteers uniformly distributed in decades from 20 to 80 years. A control group of 36 Caucasians was similarly constituted. One technologist performed all tests. Techniques and equipment matched American Thoracic Society recommendations. A cohort effect was demonstrated for anthropometric measurements in the Japanese-Americans. They were smaller and lighter than the Caucasians but taller and heavier than the Japanese of Japan. The differences from whites diminished with youth. Although the group mean volumes and flows differed little from white reference series of Crapo et al. (1981, 1982), there was a difference in the older subjects. Flow-volume curves were increased in all Japanese-Americans. Prediction equations for pulmonary function have been prepared using standing height, age, and sex. More precise formulae would need to include skinfolds, lean body weight, and span. Our Caucasians did not differ anthropometrically or in their pulmonary function from those of the mainland. In conclusion, Japanese-American anthropometry and pulmonary function in Hawaii shows a gradation from that of Japanese to Caucasians, the extent depending on the age. This is secondary to an environmental influence on anthropometry and physiology. As a consequence race-specific reference values for volumes, flows, and flow-volume curves are necessary in evaluating pulmonary function of individual Japanese-Americans.