title: COMPARING LUNG FUNCTION OF TEXTILE WORKERS WITH THE HEALTHY PAKISTANI POPULATION.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to compare lung function of textile workers with healthy Pakistani population, compare predicted values based on the European Respiratory Society (ERS) equations with those based on the Pakistani equations, and to develop predictor equations for textile workers in Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a secondary analysis of data from two previous surveys where lung function of textile workers was compared with healthy Pakistani men. Spirometry was performed according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the lung function parameters and multivariate linear regression was used to develop predictor equations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences in lung function of textile workers (FVC: 4.1 L, FEV1: 3.3 L and FEV1/FVC: 0.8) compared to healthy Pakistani men (FVC: 3.9 L, FEV1: 4.1 L and FEV1/FVC: 1.04). ERS reference equations tended to under-diagnose abnormal lung function, 16.9% versus 25.3% (p<0.01). Predictor equations for Pakistani textile workers were also developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lung function of textile workers was significantly reduced compared to healthy population. Use of ERS reference equations for Pakistani textile workers may not provide appropriate interpretation.
authors.forename: Unaib
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rabbani
authors.forename: Asaad Ahmed
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Nafees
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010154:Pakistan; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012016:Reference Values; D013147:Spirometry; D013784:Textiles