The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 Equations Are as Well-Suited as Local Population Derived Equations to a Sample of Healthy Professional Firefighters

Background and Objective. We aimed to assess the validity of using the Global Lung Function Initiative’s (GLI) 2012 equations to interpret lung function data in a healthy workforce of South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) personnel. Methods. Spirometry data from 212 healthy, nonsmoking...

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Main Authors: Flynn Slattery, Tjard Schermer, Adrian Esterman, Kylie Johnston, Alan Crockett
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Canadian Respiratory Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6327180
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author Flynn Slattery
Tjard Schermer
Adrian Esterman
Kylie Johnston
Alan Crockett
author_facet Flynn Slattery
Tjard Schermer
Adrian Esterman
Kylie Johnston
Alan Crockett
author_sort Flynn Slattery
collection DOAJ
description Background and Objective. We aimed to assess the validity of using the Global Lung Function Initiative’s (GLI) 2012 equations to interpret lung function data in a healthy workforce of South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) personnel. Methods. Spirometry data from 212 healthy, nonsmoking SAMFS firefighters were collected and predicted normal values were calculated using both the GLI and local population derived (Gore) equations for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC. Two-tailed paired sample Student’s t-tests, Bland-Altman assessments of agreement, and z-scores were used to compare the two prediction methods. Results. The equations showed good agreement for mean predicted FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC. Mean z-scores were similar for FEV1 and FVC, although not FEV1/FVC, but greater than 0.5. Differences between the calculated lower limits of normal (LLN) were significant (p<0.01), clinically meaningful, and resulted in an 8% difference in classification of abnormality using the FEV1/FVC ratio. Conclusions. The GLI equations predicted similar lung function as population-specific equations and resulted in a lower incidence of obstruction in this sample of healthy SAMFS firefighters. Further, interpretation of spirometry data as abnormal should be based on both an FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio < LLN.
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spelling doaj-art-73d5186737894042b30ab5e2fdf6fa392025-08-20T03:33:53ZengWileyCanadian Respiratory Journal1198-22411916-72452017-01-01201710.1155/2017/63271806327180The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 Equations Are as Well-Suited as Local Population Derived Equations to a Sample of Healthy Professional FirefightersFlynn Slattery0Tjard Schermer1Adrian Esterman2Kylie Johnston3Alan Crockett4Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaDepartment of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, NetherlandsSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaBackground and Objective. We aimed to assess the validity of using the Global Lung Function Initiative’s (GLI) 2012 equations to interpret lung function data in a healthy workforce of South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) personnel. Methods. Spirometry data from 212 healthy, nonsmoking SAMFS firefighters were collected and predicted normal values were calculated using both the GLI and local population derived (Gore) equations for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC. Two-tailed paired sample Student’s t-tests, Bland-Altman assessments of agreement, and z-scores were used to compare the two prediction methods. Results. The equations showed good agreement for mean predicted FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC. Mean z-scores were similar for FEV1 and FVC, although not FEV1/FVC, but greater than 0.5. Differences between the calculated lower limits of normal (LLN) were significant (p<0.01), clinically meaningful, and resulted in an 8% difference in classification of abnormality using the FEV1/FVC ratio. Conclusions. The GLI equations predicted similar lung function as population-specific equations and resulted in a lower incidence of obstruction in this sample of healthy SAMFS firefighters. Further, interpretation of spirometry data as abnormal should be based on both an FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio < LLN.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6327180
spellingShingle Flynn Slattery
Tjard Schermer
Adrian Esterman
Kylie Johnston
Alan Crockett
The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 Equations Are as Well-Suited as Local Population Derived Equations to a Sample of Healthy Professional Firefighters
Canadian Respiratory Journal
title The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 Equations Are as Well-Suited as Local Population Derived Equations to a Sample of Healthy Professional Firefighters
title_full The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 Equations Are as Well-Suited as Local Population Derived Equations to a Sample of Healthy Professional Firefighters
title_fullStr The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 Equations Are as Well-Suited as Local Population Derived Equations to a Sample of Healthy Professional Firefighters
title_full_unstemmed The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 Equations Are as Well-Suited as Local Population Derived Equations to a Sample of Healthy Professional Firefighters
title_short The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 Equations Are as Well-Suited as Local Population Derived Equations to a Sample of Healthy Professional Firefighters
title_sort global lung function initiative 2012 equations are as well suited as local population derived equations to a sample of healthy professional firefighters
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6327180
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