Pulmonary functions and their correlation with anthropomorphic parameters in young adults of Haryana (India)

Pulmonary functions in 169 young males of Haryana were studied with the help of a water seal spirometer and Wright's peak flow meter. Different parameters analysed were FVC, FEV1%, P.F.R., MVV, and expiratory flow rates between 25-50%, 25-75% and 50-75% of FVC. Our mean values are well comparable with those of Indian workers but less than those reported by Western workers. Pulmonary functions correlate better with physical parameters, height arm span and upper segment than with age. Correlation coefficient (r) values of FVC and anthropomorphic parameters are +0.7953, +0.3835, +0.3566 and +0.0992 with arm span, upper segment, height and age respectively. These values of pulmonary functions in healthy adults when compared with those obtained from patients suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease, it was observed that expiratory flow rates may be more useful in the detection of pulmonary changes in obstructive lung diseases at an early and reversible stage.