[Spirometric values of obese and non-obese subjects on orthostatic, sitting and supine positions].
BACKGROUND
It is possible that obesity could lead to pulmonary restriction with decreasing lung volumes. However, controversies about this restriction and its etiology still exist. Thus, the purpose of this report was to evaluate the effects of body weigh excess on spirometry, on three different body positions, evaluated by Body Mass Index (BMI), percentage of fatness and the ratio of abdominal girth to hip breadth (AG/HB).


METHODS
Forty-six sedentary volunteers, with ages between 20 and 40 years, were studied and distributed on five groups, based on BMI. Skin fold thickness and ratio of abdominal girth to hip breadth (AG/HB) of the volunteers were measured. FVC, FEV1 and ratio of FEV1 to FVC were measured on three different body positions--sitting, supine and orthostatic positions.


RESULTS
Comparing the values measured and predicted between the groups, no difference was detected. Comparing body positions, the supine position shows lower values than sitting and orthostatic positions (p<0.05). Associations between CVF, VEF1 e VEF1/CVF values and BMI, percentage of fatness and ratio of AG/HB were not found.


CONCLUSIONS
Spirometric values from obese people are into normality range and decrease on the supine position.
Centro Universitário do Triângulo (UNIT MG) e Universidade de Cuiabá (UNIC).
Nilsa Cristina
NC
Domingos-Benício
Ada Clarice
AC
Gastaldi
José Cláudio
JC
Perecin
Kátia de Miranda
KM
Avena
Rogério Contato
RC
Guimarães
Maria José Junho
MJ
Sologuren
José Divino
JD
Lopes-Filho
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013147:Spirometry; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio