OBJECT: The effect of altitude on lung function was evaluated in 21 healthy volunteers at 171 m and at 1580 m above sea level. METHOD: Results were obtained using an open spirometry system. DESIGN: The parameters analyzed were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiration volume after 1 s (FEV1), relative 1-s capacity (FEV1/FVC), mean expiratory flows at 75%, 50% and 25% of FVC (MEF75, MEF50, MEF25), and maximal expiratory flow (peak flow, PEF). RESULTS: MEF75 and MEF50 revealed a positive correlation with altitude, with mean rises of 15% and 11%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant for MEF75 (P = 0.0009) and MEF50 (P = 0.0001), whereas the other parameters revealed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Altitude could be a variable influencing spirometric measurements.
OBJECT: The effect of altitude on lung function was evaluated in 21 healthy volunteers at 171 m and at 1580 m above sea level. METHOD: Results were obtained using an open spirometry system. DESIGN: The parameters analyzed were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiration volume after 1 s (FEV1), relative 1-s capacity (FEV1/FVC), mean expiratory flows at 75%, 50% and 25% of FVC (MEF75, MEF50, MEF25), and maximal expiratory flow (peak flow, PEF). RESULTS: MEF75 and MEF50 revealed a positive correlation with altitude, with mean rises of 15% and 11%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant for MEF75 (P = 0.0009) and MEF50 (P = 0.0001), whereas the other parameters revealed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Altitude could be a variable influencing spirometric measurements.
Authors: Troy J Cross; Courtney Wheatley; Glenn M Stewart; Kirsten Coffman; Alex Carlson; Jan Stepanek; Norman R Morris; Bruce D Johnson Journal: Physiol Rep Date: 2018-03