title: [Reference values for lung function testing in adults--results from the study of health in Pomerania" (SHIP)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The assessment of lung function with spirometry is a frequently performed diagnostic procedure and is considered an important tool in medical monitoring of pulmonary diseases. This study aimed at establishing current reference standards, derived from a representative population sample in West Pomerania of Germany and to compare them to existing data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standardized spirometric function tests were performed - 1sec forced respiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) - on 1,809 participants (885 men, 924 women) of a cross-sectional epidemiological survey, called Study of Health in Pomerania ( SHIP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All persons with cardiac disorders, current smokers and those who were on specific medication which could influence lung functions were excluded, leaving a total of 904 healthy subjects (439 men, 465 women, aged 25-85 years. The results were analysed by quantile regression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides a representative, gender specific set of predictive equations for lung function parameters by spirometry. Comparison to existing prediction equations revealed a consistent underestimation in the current population. The results help to interpret the results of lung function tests: it is therefore recommended that the existing prediction equations be revised.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin B - Bereiche Kardiologie, Pneumologie, Infektiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald. beate.koch@uni-greifswald.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schäper
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ittermann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Völzke
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ewert
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gläser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult