Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr David Chinn
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Background - Sex specific cross sectional reference values for lung function indices usually employ a linear model with terms for age and stature. The effects of also matching for body mass index (BMI = mass/stature2) or its components, fat percentage of body mass (fat%) and fat free mass index (FFMI = fat free mass/stature2) were studied. Methods - The subjects were 458 asymptomatic male and female non-smokers (383 men) and 22 female ex-smokers. Measurements were made of ventilatory capacity, lung volumes, transfer factor (diffusing capacity, single breath CO method), and body composition (skinfold method). Linear and proportional regression models were used. Results - Terms for fat% and FFMI significantly improved the accuracy of reference values for all the primary lung function indices. The improvements in subjects with atypical physiques (fat% and FFMI at the ends of the distributions for the subjects) were in the range 0.3-2.3 SD compared with conventional regression equations. The new partial regression coefficients on age were independent of age related changes in body fat. The coefficient for total lung capacity (TLC) on age in men was now positive. Most differences between the sexes were eliminated. A term for BMI improved the descriptions of subdivisions of TLC but lacked the other advantages. Conclusion - Allowance for fat% and FFMI increases the accuracy of reference equations for lung function, particularly for subjects with a lot of fat and little muscle or vice versa. Allowance for BMI is less informative.
Author(s): Chinn DJ; Cotes JE; Reed JW
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Thorax
Year: 2001
Volume: 56
Issue: 11
Pages: 839-844
Print publication date: 01/01/2001
ISSN (print): 0040-6376
ISSN (electronic): 1468-3296
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/thorax.56.11.839
DOI: 10.1136/thorax.56.11.839
PubMed id: 11641507
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
