Continuous longitudinal regression equations for pulmonary function measures

The data from a longitudinal population study in Tucson, Arizona, were used to describe the development and decline of maximal expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) measures with age. On the basis of their answers to self-administered questionnaires, in 9 of the first 10 surveys (1972-1988) and having performed at least one MEFV test, 930 nonsmoking healthy subjects were selected, providing 3,848 individual observations. The data were analysed using statistical methods that yield continuous piecewise linear regression equations and allow subjects to have repeated measures which are unequally spaced and at different times for different subjects. In addition, the age intervals for the piecewise linear line segments are estimated for each of the MEFV indices, as part of the modelling procedure. The resulting predicted values are compared between sexes and to previously published cross-sectional results from the same population. All MEFV measures in healthy subjects have an early increase in the rate of development corresponding to the onset of the adolescent growth spurt. This rapid growth period is followed by a plateau phase which lasts around 10 yrs for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in males, in which growth continues, but at a much lower rate. The plateau phase, is followed by a constant rate of decline which lasts throughout adulthood. In contrast, flow measures did not have a detectable plateau period, but did have points of increased rates of decline much later in life.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Hnizdo, K. Sircar, T. Yan, P. Harber, J. Fleming, and H. W Glindmeyer Limits of longitudinal decline for the interpretation of annual changes in FEV1 in individuals Occup. Environ. Med., October 1, 2007; 64(10): 701 - 707. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Sircar, E. Hnizdo, E. Petsonk, and M. Attfield Decline in lung function and mortality: implications for medical monitoring Occup. Environ. Med., July 1, 2007; 64(7): 461 - 466. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Hebestreit, S. Kieser, S. Rudiger, T. Schenk, S. Junge, A. Hebestreit, M. Ballmann, H-G. Posselt, and S. Kriemler Physical activity is independently related to aerobic capacity in cystic fibrosis Eur. Respir. J., October 1, 2006; 28(4): 734 - 739. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Pellegrino, G. Viegi, V. Brusasco, R. O. Crapo, F. Burgos, R. Casaburi, A. Coates, C. P. M. van der Grinten, P. Gustafsson, J. Hankinson, et al. Interpretative strategies for lung function tests Eur. Respir. J., November 1, 2005; 26(5): 948 - 968. [Full Text] [PDF]

				E Hnizdo, L Yu, L Freyder, M Attfield, J Lefante, and H W Glindmeyer The precision of longitudinal lung function measurements: monitoring and interpretation Occup. Environ. Med., October 1, 2005; 62(10): 695 - 701. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. L. HALL, Z. HANTOS, F. PETAK, J. H. WILDHABER, K. TILLER, P. R. BURTON, and P. D. SLY Airway and Respiratory Tissue Mechanics in Normal Infants Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., October 1, 2000; 162(4): 1397 - 1402. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. PISTELLI, M. BOTTAI, G. VIEGI, F. DI PEDE, L. CARROZZI, S. BALDACCI, M. PEDRESCHI, and C. GIUNTINI Smooth Reference Equations for Slow Vital Capacity and Flow-Volume Curve Indexes Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 1, 2000; 161(3): 899 - 905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. HOLBERG, W. J. MORGAN, A. L. WRIGHT, and F. D. MARTINEZ Differences in Familial Segregation of FEV1 between Asthmatic and Nonasthmatic Families . Role of a Maternal Component Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., July 1, 1998; 158(1): 162 - 169. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. BISGAARD, S. S. PEDERSEN, K. G. NIELSEN, M. SKOV, E. M. LAURSEN, G. KRONBORG, C. M. REIMERT, N. H OIBY, and C. KOCH Controlled Trial of Inhaled Budesonide in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Bronchopulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., October 1, 1997; 156(4): 1190 - 1196. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]