Lung function in older community dwelling Australians

Introduction: The diagnosis of chronic respiratory diseases depends on lung function tests, but limited normative data exist for an older Australian population. Methods: Participants > 65 years were recruited randomly from the electoral roll. A validated postal questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and diagnoses was completed by 3,161 eligible participants. Spirometry, gas transfer and static lung volumes were measured (MGC diagnostics Elite DL system) in a small non-smoker subset of this cohort without respiratory disease or symptoms, major ECG abnormalities, major physical illness or kyphoscoliosis. %Predicted values were calculated using published equations of NHANES, Thompson et al (Thorax 2008;63:889-93) and ECCS (Stocks J, Quanjer PH. Eur Respir J. 1995;8:492-506). Results: Conclusions: These community dwelling healthy older subjects generally demonstrated better lung function than would have been expected from published reference values. These data will make a useful contribution to the Global Lung Initiative spirometry, T L co and static lung volumes reference sets. Supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Asthma & Airways.