Ventilatory functions in Croatian population in comparison with European reference values

To compare ventilatory capacity of Croatian population with the ventilatory function values predicted by conventional equations based on measurements among European populations. Ventilatory capacity and respiratory symptoms were determined in a group of 2,482 healthy non-smokers (1,162 men and 1,320 women). The measurements were performed with a pneumotach spirometer. Maximum expiratory flow volume curves (MEFV) were registered, and forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and flow rates at 50% (MEF50) and the last 25% of the vital capacity (MEF25) were recorded. Anthropometric data were also noted. Reference values were calculated using multiple linear regressions. Comparisons of our values with the prediction summary equations issued by the European Community for Steel and Coal (ECSC) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) showed that healthy Croatians had consistently lower values of FVC (92.1-/+14.0% of the predicted volume for men and 86.2-/+11.7% for women) and FEV1 (93.7-/+14.8% of the predicted values for men and 95.3-/+13.1% for women), but higher values of MEF50 (107.8-/+30.1% of the predicted values for men and 103.4-/+22.8% for women) and MEF25 (117.3-/+41.0% of the predicted values for men and 117.9-/+34.0% for women) than the ECSC/ERS recommendations. The comparison was also made with the most commonly used North American reference standards based on populations of European origin, with similar findings. On the basis of the results of multiple linear regressions, we constructed prediction equations for ventilatory function in Croatian population. The ECSC/ERS recommendations are not satisfactory for the Croatian population.