Spirometry interpretation in Africa: bridging the gap with relevant reference equations.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Clinical Physiology
• Population Health

Background:

• Spirometry is essential for diagnosing lung diseases.
• Existing reference equations may not accurately reflect lung function in diverse populations.
• The Global Lung Initiative (GLI) provides global and regional equations, but their applicability in African populations requires evaluation.

Discussion:

• Reference equation selection significantly impacts spirometry interpretation in African cohorts.
• The GLI global equation demonstrated limitations for this population.
• The GLI African-American equation provided a better fit compared to the global equation.

Key Insights:

• Spirometry results in African populations are highly sensitive to the chosen reference equation.
• The GLI African-American equation is a more suitable option than the GLI global equation for this demographic.
• There is a need for population-specific spirometry reference equations.

Outlook:

• Development and validation of localized spirometry reference equations for African populations are recommended.
• Improved spirometry interpretation can lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of respiratory conditions.
• Further research should explore the genetic and environmental factors influencing lung function in Africans.