title: Cross-sectional relation of ethnicity to ventilatory function in a West London population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urban populations worldwide are of increasingly diverse ethnicity. International recommendations suggest that ethnically specific norms should be applied when assessing spirometry, although the lower forced vital capacity (FVC) in African Americans is associated with lower  survival.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess differences in ventilatory function in a current, ethnically diverse British population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional survey of three primary care practices in West London, 677 participants aged ≥40 years provided acceptable post-bronchodilator spirometric  data. Ethnicity was self-defined using the British Census questions and grouped as 'White', 'African-Caribbean' and 'Other'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment, the ratio of 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV(1)) to FVC was 1.0% (95%CI -2.5  to 4.5) higher in Black men and 1.8% (-0.8 to 4.4) higher in Black women compared with the White population. In contrast, FVC was 870 ml (-1140 to -600) lower in Black men and 590 ml (-760 to -420) lower in Black women. Participants from 'Other' ethnic  groups had results similar to those of Black participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FEV(1)/FVC ratio can be used without regard to ethnic background to assess obstruction. However, FVC is systematically lower in all minority ethnic groups.
authors: Centre for Primary Care & Public Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Hooper
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Burney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011320:Primary Health Care; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013147:Spirometry; D014504:Urban Health; D014797:Vital Capacity; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents