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Potential impact of altitude on lung function

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Abstract.

 Object. The effect of altitude on lung func- tion was evaluated in 21 healthy volunteers at 171 m and at 1580 m above sea level. Method. Results were obtained using an open spirometry system. Design. The parameters analyzed were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiration volume after 1 s (FEV1), relative 1-s capacity (FEV1/FVC), mean expiratory flows at 75%, 50% and 25% of FVC (MEF75, MEF50, MEF25), and maximal expiratory flow (peak flow, PEF). Results. MEF75 and MEF50 revealed a positive correlation with altitude, with mean rises of 15% and 11%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant for MEF75 (P=0.0009) and MEF50 (P=0.0001), whereas the other parameters revealed no significant difference. Conclusion. Altitude could be a variable influencing spirometric measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Medicine, (Director: Prof. H. W. Rüdiger), Clinic of Internal Medicine IV, University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. Tel.: +43 1 40400 4701 Fax: +43 1 408 80 11 E-mail: chris.wolf@univie.ac.at, , , , , , AT

    C. Wolf, Anton Staudenherz & Georg Röggla

  2. Department of Epidemiology, (Director: Prof. C. Vutuc), Institute of Tumor Biology, University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria, , , , , , AT

    Thomas Waldhör

Authors
  1. C. Wolf
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  2. Anton Staudenherz
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  3. Georg Röggla
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  4. Thomas Waldhör
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Received: 22 December 1995 / Accepted: 19 February 1996

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Wolf, C., Staudenherz, A., Röggla, G. et al. Potential impact of altitude on lung function. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 69, 106–108 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004200050123

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004200050123

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