VENTILATORY LUNG-FUNCTION STUDIES IN PACIFIC ISLAND MICRONESIANS

In the first study of ventilatory lung function In people of the Micronesian race, observations in 182 normal subjects (117 males and 65 females) between the ages of 15 and 80 years were used to calculate regression equations for FVC, FEV1, and FEV1%. Mean values of FVC and FEV1 were found to be lower than those reported for Caucasians and Polynesians, but similar to Melanesians, Negroes and Chinese. Values of FEV1% were comparable among all races. The three Oceanic races showed a smaller reduction of FVC and a larger reduction of FEV1 % with increasing age than did Caucasians. Although the biological significance of this variability of ventilatory function In different races is uncertain, the definition of racial norms is already proving useful in studies of pulmonary airway disease among Oceanic peoples. © 1978 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.