RESUMO
Background. Normative values of pulmonary functions of healthy population are affected by different geographic, ethnic, climatic and demographic factors. Objective. Present study was designed to derive normative spirometric values, prediction equations for future reference in adult Kashmiri population. Methods. Pulmonary function testing was carried out on 3080 normal healthy non-smoking individuals (1974 males; age 18-65 years) of Kashmir valley. Multiple regression analysis was used to develop prediction equations for use in this population. Results. Forced vital capacity (FVC, L/s) (4.3±0.8 versus 3.0±0.5; p<0.05), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1, L/s) (3.9±0.7 versus 2.6±0.5; p<0.05) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR, L/s) (7.9±1.8 versus 5.3±1.2; p<0.05) were significantly higher in males in comparison with females. All the other parameters except FEV1/PEFR ratio were significantly higher among males (p<0.05). Irrespective of gender, all the parameters declined with increasing age. Females had higher FEV1/PEFR ratio (p<0.05) in age group of 15-30 years. Overall the inter-group difference across the districts studied was not significant. Spirometric parameters manifested an overall negative correlation with increasing body mass index (BMI), although FVC and FEV1 in males with low BMI were high (p<0.05). Conclusion. These prediction equations can be utilised as reference values for future use in adult Kashmiri population.