Ventilatory function in normal Saudi Arabian adults. Observations and comparison with some Western and Eastern...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Physiology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Understanding ethnic and geographic variations in ventilatory function is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation.
• Previous studies have established reference values for lung function in various global populations.
• Limited data exists on ventilatory function parameters specifically for Saudi Arabian adult males.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess ventilatory function in healthy, non-smoking Saudi Arabian adult males from the Riyadh area.
• To compare these findings with established data from Western and Eastern populations.
• To establish regional reference values for Saudi Arabian males.

Main Methods:

• Spirometry was performed on healthy, non-smoking adult males residing in Riyadh.
• Key parameters measured included forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).
• Expiratory flow rates such as peak expiratory flow (PEF) and maximal expiratory flow at 75% and 50% of FVC (MEF75, MEF50) were also assessed.

Main Results:

• Saudi Arabian males showed lower FVC and FEV1 compared to American, Canadian, Jordanian, and Hong Kong Chinese populations.
• Their FVC and FEV1 were higher than those reported for Indian and Singapore Chinese populations.
• Most expiratory flow rate parameters (PEF, MEF75, MEF50) were equal to or higher than those in American, Canadian, Jordanian, Indian, and Chinese subjects.

Conclusions:

• Saudi Arabian males from Riyadh demonstrate unique ventilatory function patterns, distinct from many Western and Eastern populations.
• While FVC and FEV1 are relatively lower, expiratory flow rates are preserved or enhanced.
• These findings highlight the need for population-specific reference values in respiratory health assessments.