Determinación de valores espirométricos en una población chilena normal mayor de 5 años, a nivel del mar / Reference spirometric values for a standard chilean population older than 5 years, at sea level

RESUMO

Maximal expiratory flow-volume curves were obtained from a randomly selected population of 850 healthy non-smoking subjects living at sea level, in cities without atmospheric pollution. Equipment and techniques were used according to the recommendations of the American Thoracic Society. Linear regression equations were obtained, using age and height as independent variables and spirometric values as dependent variables, for both sexes and ages from 6 to 70 years old. Our values for forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume were 9 to 18 percent and 10 to 15 percent higher than those reported by Knudson et al. In conclusion, chilean spirometric reference values differ from those used abroad, emphazing the need to use local standards to interpret spirometric results: