Impact of Low Altitude-Hilly Terrain on Pulmonary Health in Young Adults: A Gender-Based Spirometric Analysis

This study explores the pulmonary function of young adults living in hilly terrains at low altitudes (around 1,800 ft), assessing the impact of elevation on lung health and potential gender-based differences using digital spirometry.

Pulmonary functions, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow rate, were measured in individuals aged 18-24 years. Differences between males and females were examined using independent t-tests and Pearson correlation tests to analyze the relationships between various pulmonary metrics.

Males demonstrated higher mean values in FVC and FEV1 compared to females, though the FEV1/FVC ratio remained consistent across genders. Correlation analysis within the total sample and across genders revealed significant relationships among the tests.

The study highlights low altitude's physiological effects on lung function, with gender differences in pulmonary findings. These findings necessitate gender-specific approaches in health interventions and emphasize the importance of altitude consideration in respiratory health research.