The effect of ethnic origin on pulmonary prediction equations in a Jewish immigrant population.
BACKGROUND
Ethnic origin affects spirometric prediction values. Our aims were to investigate the effect of ethnic origin on prediction equations in an immigrant-based society, identify possible deviations from commonly used prediction equations and analyze the effect of miscalculation in a large cohort of apparently healthy individuals.


METHODS
Healthy never-smokers participants from a large Israeli survey underwent lung function testing and were divided into two major ethnic groups: Ashkenazi Jews (AJ) and Sephardic Jews (SJ). Data were analyzed by multiple linear regressions. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio were measured according to ERS-ATS guidelines.


RESULTS
The study population comprised 3150 individuals (AJ=1817; SJ=1333). AJ tended to be older and taller than SJ (all p<0.005). Ethnicity entered as a significant regression variable for FVC for both genders and for FEV1 for females only. The final regression model for both FVC and FEV1 had R2=0.71 and the standard error of the estimate (SEE) for FVC and FEV1 were 0.54 and 0.43 L, respectively. The regression model for the FEV1/FVC ratio has less statistical strength (R2=0.06, SEE=6.15%). We found statistically significant underestimates of predicted lung volumes from the commonly used prediction equation for each ethnic group.


CONCLUSIONS
Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews have different ranges of normal pulmonary function values. Lung function prediction equations in an immigrant-based society should be based on local and not previously reported regional equations and adjusted for ethnic attributed variance.
Steinvil
Arie
A
Department of Internal Medicine D, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Fireman
Elizabeth
E
Wolach
Ofir
O
Rebhun
Uzi
U
Cohen
Michael
M
Shapira
Itzhak
I
Berliner
Shlomo
S
Rogowski
Ori
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology; D001827:Body Height / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007585:Jews / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D014797:Vital Capacity