THE SINGLE-BREATH N2-TEST AND SPIROMETRY IN HEALTHY NON-SMOKING MALES

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 65  (4) , 296-304
Abstract
Healthy men (aged 30-70), who had never smoked, were studied. The 178 subjects were selected by systematic sampling from an urban population. Using the single-breath N2-washout test, closing volume (CV) and slope of the alveolar plateau (.DELTA.N2) were measured. A prediction equation for CV was produced by simple regression on age. .DELTA.N2 showed an accelerated increase with age above the age of 50. A curvilinear equation was established: .DELTA.N2 (%/l) = 0.85 + .**GRAPHIC**. Reference equations were also established for vital capacity (VC), 1-s forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and FEV1 in percent VC [vital capacity) (FEV%) by means of linear multiple regression on age and height. The distribution of .DELTA.N2 was not homogenous throughout the age-range. As an upper limit of the reference range, 180% of the predicted value is suggested.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: