Spirometry prediction equations obtained from middle-age adults, when
extrapolated for the elderly, may lead to inaccurate interpretations.
The purpose of this study was to determine prediction equations for
forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) in the
Greek elderly population. Spirometry prediction equations for normal FVC
and FEV1 have been derived from tests on 71 healthy persons (38 men, 33
women) aged older than 60 years (range, 65-85 years), nonsmokers, white
race, urban population using techniques and equipment that meet American
Thoracic Society recommendations. Regression analysis using age, height,
and weight as independent variables was used to provide prediction
equations and values for both sexes. The FVC age coefficient in this
healthy group was about 47.19 mL/y for elderly men and 34.27 mL/y for
elderly women, and the FEV1 age coefficient was about 52.8 mL/y for
elderly men and 46.4 mL/y for elderly women. Values from this study
predicted equations were compared with those from some of the most
commonly used sources of spirometry predicted equations. The FVC and
FEV1 predicted values were found to be of less mean square error than
that of other compared studies. Higher correlation is between FVC and
FEV1 predicted values by the present model and FVC and FEV1 observed
Values in both sexes. The higher correlation between FVC and FEV1
predicted and observed from this study allows the use of our model for
predicting in a rather reliable way the FVC and FEV1 for elderly Creek
individuals