Spirometric values in Gypsy (Roma) children.
Values of spirometry indices vary among subjects of similar age, gender and somatometrics but of different ethnic origins. Low socioeconomic status in childhood is inversely related to lung growth. The aim of this investigation was to assess spirometry values in Gypsy children and compare them to reported values for Caucasians. Gypsy students attending primary schools in Central Greece were recruited. Spirometry indices were measured using a portable spirometer. Regression analysis was applied to construct prediction equations for forced vital capacity (FVC) and other spirometric indices (FEV(1), FEF(50), FEF(25), FEF(25-75)) based on standing height. Predicted spirometric values were compared to values for Caucasians from published studies. In 152 children (ages 5-14 years; 57 girls) lung function increased linearly with height: spirometry index=intercept+[slopexheight], (r(2)=0.68 for FVC and FEV(1) in girls; r(2)=0.78 for FVC and r(2)=0.74 for FEV(1) in boys). Excluding boys-but not girls-in puberty increased fit for FVC (r(2)=0.83) and FEV(1) (r(2)=0.79). Mean predicted values were 5-10% lower than values for Caucasians. In Gypsy children, FVC and expiratory flow function increase linearly with standing height and predicted values are lower than those for Caucasians of similar height.
Kaditis
Athanasios G
AG
Department of Pediatrics, Larissa University Hospital, University of Thessaly School of Medicine, P.O. Box 1425, Larissa 41110, Greece. KADITIA@hotmail.com
Gourgoulianis
Konstantinos
K
Tsoutsou
Pelagia
P
Papaioannou
Andriana I
AI
Fotiadou
Anastasia
A
Messini
Christina
C
Samaras
Konstantinos
K
Piperi
Maria
M
Gissaki
Despina
D
Zintzaras
Elias
E
Molyvdas
Adam-Paschalis
AP
D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D006178:Romani People; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity; D044465:White People