Lung function in advanced age: study of ambulatory subjects aged over 75 years.

Spirometric parameters including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and various parietal parameters (superior and inferior rib cage and abdominal maximal expansion amplitudes) were measured in 65 ambulatory subjects aged over 75 years. The population was divided into three age groups: group 1: 75-79; group 2; 80-84, group 3: 85 and older. A marked decrease in clinical and spirometric results was observed between groups 1 and 2, and 1 and 3, but there was no difference between groups 2 and 3. Such findings might be attributed to a survival effect. There was a high correlation between the parietal parameters and FVC and FEV1. In clinical practice, this simple parietal assessment may be of value in the identification of elderly subjects at risk of acute respiratory distress.