The Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference values reflect contemporary Australasian spirometry.

We aimed to ascertain the fit of the European Respiratory Society Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference ranges to contemporary Australasian spirometric data. Z-scores for spirometry from Caucasian subjects aged 4-80 years were calculated. The mean (SD) Z-scores were 0.23 (1.00) for forced expirtory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), 0.23 (1.00) for forced vital capacity (FVC), -0.03 (0.87) for FEV(1)/FVC and 0.07 (0.95) for forced expiratory flows between 25% and 75% of FVC. These results support the use of the Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference ranges to interpret spirometry in Caucasian Australasians.

The all-age spirometry reference ranges reflect contemporary Australasian spirometry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Advances in statistical modelling have allowed the creation of smoothly changing spirometry reference ranges that apply across a wide age range and better define the lower limit of normal. The objective of this study was to assess the agreement of the Stanojevic 2009 all-age reference ranges to contemporary lung function data to verify the appropriateness of this reference for clinical use in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS: Spirometry data from healthy Caucasians measured between 2000-2009 in Australia and New Zealand were collected. Z-scores were calculated for the standard spirometry outcomes based on the all-age reference ranges. RESULTS: Spirometry from 2066 subjects aged 4-80 years (55% male) from 14 centres were eligible. Statistically, the collated contemporary dataset differed from the all-age reference ranges, but these differences were relatively small and clinically irrelevant representing differences of approximately 3% predicted. Significant differences were also observed between some centres and equipment, potentially indicating varying influence of equipment or subject selection. CONCLUSIONS: Spirometry from contemporary Australasian healthy subjects fits the all-age reference ranges well. While the current study supports the use of the all-age reference ranges, the between-centre differences highlight the need for spirometry to be used in conjunction with other clinical findings.

Sleep-disordered breathing in spinal cord-injured patients: a short-term longitudinal study.

UNLABELLED: Spinal cord-injured subjects were assessed during the acute admission for sleep-disordered breathing. Polysomnography demonstrated a high incidence of sleep apnoea that persisted during the acute phase. There was no correlation with respiratory function tests or measures of ventilatory control. Screening of this population is worthwhile although the clinical significance is uncertain. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated an increased incidence of sleep apnoea in spinal cord-injured patients. Many of these studies were performed in long-term, stable spinal cord injury (SCI). The aims of this study were: (i) to determine the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in acute SCI; (ii) to document the change in SDB over time during the rehabilitation period; and (iii) to correlate the degree of SDB with ventilatory parameters. METHODS: Sixteen subjects with an acute SCI level T12 and above with complete motor impairment (American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale A or B) were recruited. Assessment, including polysomnography, respiratory function testing, and hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses, were performed 6-8 weeks post SCI, and repeated 6 months post SCI. RESULTS: Eleven of 16 subjects (73%) had evidence of sleep apnoea, five of whom were moderate to severe. This high incidence persisted during the acute admission, with 9 of 12 subjects (75%) having sleep apnoea on polysomnography 20 weeks following injury. There was no correlation between the severity of SDB and other measures, such as level or completeness of injury, respiratory function tests or measures of ventilatory responses. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a high incidence of sleep apnoea in the acute phase of SCI that persisted during the acute admission. Despite the high incidence of sleep apnoea, patients were relatively asymptomatic. Screening of this population would appear worthwhile given the high prevalence, although the significance of the sleep apnoea and clinical impact is not known.