Peak Expiratory Flow Rates Among Gujjar and Non-Gujjar Population of Kashmir Valley

Peak expiratory flow rates of 506 healthy adults from a rural area of Kashmir consisting of 252 Gujjars and 254 non-Gujjars are reported. There is paucity of literature an ventilatory measurements of such populations living at high attitudes and this study is first of this kind from Kashmir valley. Gujjars were found to have lower peak expiratory flow rates than non-Gujjars. Role of domestic smoke pollution (measured as time spent near fire place) and smoking in lowering the peak expiratory flow rates has also been documented.