ABSTRACT
Spirometric measurements were performed in 718 health; asymptomatic and life long nonsmoking male Tanzanians aged between 20-60 years using a dry-wedge spirometer (Vitalograph). The study was undertaken to determine normal values for forced vital capacity (FVC); one second forced expired volume (FEV1); FEV1 as percent of FVC (FEV1 percent FVC); and construct prediction equations from these data in a large population of health adult male textile employees in Dar es Salaam. Measurement were performed in accordance with European Community for Coal and steel (ECCS) recommendations. Regression analyses were used to derive prediction equation for FVC; FEV1; and FEV1 percent FVC in this population. FVC remained relatively constant through 30 years before decreasing in subjects greater than 30 years of age. [abstract terminated]