Pulmonary function in healthy Pakistani adults at different altitudes.

The pulmonary functions (FVC; FEV1; FEV1 /FVC% and MVV) were measured in healthy Pakistani adults (aged 20 to 40 years) at various altitudes. The subjects were divided into four groups (Group i residing at 500m above sea level; Group-li fresh arrivals at an altitude of 2250m; Group-Ill acclimatised to various altitudes above 3250m and Group-IV highlanders living above 2250m). The effects of age and height on FVC and FEV1 were found to be similar to those in previous studies. There was no significant difference in FVC among group I, II and Ill whilst group IV exhibited higher values. However, FVC values fromGroup I, II and IV were slightly lower than the European and the North American population of European descent. Values of FEV1/FVC% of all the groups were found to be a little higher than those reported by other investigators. Multiple regression formulae drawn here for various age and height of all these groups can be reliably applied to assess the pulmonary function for subjects located at these altitudes (JPMA 38 : 158,1988).