alpha-1 awareness

Alpha1 Awareness Supporting FIND-A1

• FA1 Background
• FA1 Discovery
• FA1 Lung Function Tests
• FA1 Biochemical Tests
• FA1 Radiology
• FA1 Molecular Biology
• FA1 AAT levels
• FA1 FEV1 & FVC
• FA1 COPD severity

Find-A1 FEV1 & FVC

There are a number of published formula for calculating the predicted (or theoretical) FEV1 and FVC values for a given population.

The following forrmulae are from the Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology (www.artp.org.uk).

Men
    FEV1{litres} =  4.30*height{metres} - 0.029*age{years} - 2.49
    FVC{litres} =  5.76*height{metres} - 0.026*age{years} – 4.34

Women
    FEV1{litres} =  3.95*height{metres} - 0.025*age{years} - 2.60
    FVC{litres} =  4.43*height{metres} - 0.026*age{years} – 2.89

The figures are based on a regression model from a cohort of subjects aged 18-60, and included height, age and gender. 

Tables using these formulae can be downloaded here:

Men FEV1&FVC
Women FEV1&FVC
Both sexes FEV1&FVC

Recent publications:

Decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Variability, determinants and biomarkers.
J. Vestbo et al.
N. Eng. J. Med 2011; 365: 1184-1192

(The formulation of the reference equations is not simple but for both females and males the annual decline is 35 ml - slighter higher than those quoted above.)

Other reference equations are described in ERJ publications:

Spirometric reference equations for European females and males aged 65–85 yrs
F. Garcıa-Rıo, J.M. Pino, A. Dorgham, A. Alonso, J. Villamor
Eur Respir J 2004; 24: 397–405

(The formulation of the reference equations is not simple but for both females and males the annual decline is 35 ml - slighter higher than those quoted above.)

Prediction equations for normal and low lung function from the Health Survey for England
E. Falaschetti, J. Laiho, P. Primatesta, S. Purdon
Eur Respir J 2004; 23: 456–463

Spirometric standards for healthy adult lifetime nonsmokers in Australia
C.J. Gore, A.J. Crockett, D.G. Pederson, M.L. Booth, A. Bauman, N. Owen
Eur Respir J, 1995, 8: 773–782

A general overview is given in the series ATS/ERS TASK FORCE: STANDARDISATION OF LUNG FUNCTION TESTING:

Interpretative strategies for lung function tests
R. Pellegrino, et. al.
Eur Respir J 2005; 26: 948–968