Pulmonary function studies in healthy non-smoking men of Calcutta.

Pulmonary function measurements were made in 104 healthy non-smoking men from Calcutta with an age range of 20-59 years. Except for peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), all the measurements were made with the help of two 9L closed-circuit type expirographs using standard spirometric techniques. PEFR was recorded by two Wright peak flow meters. Prediction formulae were derived on the basis of age and height for all the ventilatory tests except for FEV1%, FET and PEFR. These were predicted from age only. The prediction equation for VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, MVVF and PEFR were reliable, but those for forced expitatory flows and time were not. The FVC and FEV1 values of the present subjects, standardized for age and height, were much lower than those of Americans, Caucasians, Europeans and Canadians but similar to those of Pakistani healthy adults. On comparison with the data reported from other parts of our country, it was revealed that the VC and FEV1 values of the current study, after adjustment of age and height, were much higher than those of southern Indians but comparable with those of north-western Indians.