[New elements in the interpretation of flow-volume curves]. / Nouveaux éléments d'interprétation de la courbe débit-volume.

We have measured flow-volume curves (FV) in 167 normal individuals of both sexes aged 20 to 89. All were non-smokers and none had cardio-respiratory disease. The flows at 25, 50 and 75 per cent of vital capacity (VC) as well as flows normalized by VC or total lung capacity (TLC) gave, in general, good correlation coefficients with age. The parameters V25/TLC and especially V50/TLC gave for the best correlations with age and we suggest these parameters in future when flow volume curves are used to assess respiratory pathophysiology. Normal values as well as regression equations of these parameters with age are proposed for various age groups in the 20-89 years age range.