Abstract

Background: An understanding of age-related changes in the respiratory functions is important.

Objective: To evaluate the pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in elderly population and to construct prediction equations for them.

Material and Methods: PFTs were performed on 185 healthy, non-smoker (115 male and 70 female) subjects aged 60 years and above. They were divided into 4 groups: Group I (60–64 years), Group II (65–69 years), Group III (70–74 years) and Group IV (75 years and above).

Results: There was progressive decline in mean values of body weight (wt) and body surface area (BSA) with increase in age (p < 0.001). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in half second (FEV0.5), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in 3 seconds (FEV3), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) showed a significant decrease in their mean values in all groups. Prediction equations for estimating mean values of FVC, FEV1, and PEFR were constructed.

Conclusion: Aging is associated with significant reduction in PFT values.

Key words: Ageing, PFTs, FVC, PEFR, MVV, prediction equation