Static lung volume (LV) measurements have a number of clinical and research
applications; however, no previous studies have provided reference values
for such tests using a healthy sample of the adult Brazilian population. Wi
th this as our main purpose, we prospectively evaluated 100 non-smoking sub
jects (50 males and 50 females), 20 to 80 years old, randomly selected from
more than 8,000 individuals. Gender-specific linear prediction equations w
ere developed by multiple regression analysis with total lung capacity (TLC
), functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV), RV/TLC ratio a
nd inspiratory capacity (IC) as dependent variables, and with age, height,
weight, lean body mass and indexes of physical fitness as independent ones.
Simpler demographic and anthropometric variables were as useful as more co
mplex measurements in predicting LV values, independent of gender and age (
R-2 values ranging from 0.49 to 0.78, P<0.001). interestingly, prediction e
quations from North American and European studies overestimated the LV at l
ow volumes and underestimated them at high volumes (P<0.05). Our results, t
herefore, provide a more appropriate frame of reference to evaluate the nor
malcy of static lung volume values in Brazilian males and females aged 20 t
o 80 years.