PREDICTED AND RECORDED VITAL CAPACITY IN STUDENTS OF SHALAMAR MEDICAL AND DENTAL COLLEGE, LAHORE

Abstract

Background: The study aimed at observing the difference in predicted and recorded Vital Capacity in young Pakistani adults. Methods: Female students (n=46) and male students (n=30) belonging to age group 18–20 years, height 150–190 Cm, and with no history of smoking or respiratory ailment participated in the study. Predicted Vital Capacity was calculated by using the formula based on age and height. Vital Capacity was recorded on Students’ Spirometer of 9 L capacity. Results: A statistically significant difference between predicted and recorded Vital Capacity (p<0.05) for both female and male medical students was observed. In females, recorded Vital Capacity values were 22% less than predicted values, and in males they were 23% less than the predicted value. Conclusion: Vital Capacity is dependent on other factors besides age and height. Therefore recorded values 77–78% of predicted should be considered normal. The incorporation of weight in prediction equation would result in better estimation of Vital Capacity in Pakistan for different age groups.