Lung functions with spirometry: an Indian perspective--II: on the vital capacity of Indians.

ABSTRACT

Spirometry has been used in India since 1929 to evaluate vital capacity. The mean value for this parameter has changed slightly for the better over about eight decades. It is currently recorded at about 21.8 ml/cm height for males and about 18 ml/cm height for females, the difference between the two sexes being statistically significant throughout the period studied. The vital capacity reaches its peak at about 30 years of age in both Indian men and women and declines there after. There is no significant statistical difference in the vital capacities of subjects from different regions of India. Composite regressions have been generated for use as reference equations for estimating. Vital capacity of Indians is lower than that of Caucasians, but the age related decline is much greater for Caucasians.