Lung function parameters of Bangladeshi male subjects in different living conditions

The "standard" values of pulmonary function tests obtained from Western populations do not agree with that of people of Bangladesh. The present survey was conducted with a view to determining the values of three lung functions parameters, viz., vital capacity, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in healthy Bangladeshi male population. 250 non-smoker male subjects of age 20-40 years were selected for the study. Of these 150 were university students and employees and 100 were low income group slum dwellers. All three values correlated positively with height and weight and negatively with age. There was a definite effect of aging on the lung function showing a declining trend from age 35 years onwards. The slum dwellers showed lower values (-12.5% in young adults) of lung functions than the university students and employees. The difference decreased with age. Prediction equations were set up using height, weight, and age as parameters. In general the lung function values were found to be 80% of the European Standards.