Gender difference on the effects of body mass index in prediction of spirometric reference values in healthy young Indian adults

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in different populations have been reported from different parts of the globe. Owing to increased industrialization and changes in the anthropometric profile, it is essential to readdress the population-specific spirometric norms. Body mass index (BMI) is known to influence lung functions. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the gender difference on the effects of BMI in prediction of spirometric reference values in healthy young Indian adults. A total of 158 university students (90 males and 68 females) were randomly sampled from the University of Calcutta, India. PFTs were measured in all subjects using expirograph. There was no significant difference in age between males and females. Significant gender variation was found in vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1s, forced expiratory flow and peak expiratory flow rate. BMI depicted significant correlation with VC in males. On the basis of existence of such significant correlations, regression equations were computed to predict PFTs from BMI. To conclude, the study indicated a significant gender variation in the normal values of the PFTs. BMI was negatively correlated with VC in males, and the level of BMI showed better prediction of pulmonary function in male subjects.