The effect of ethnic origin on pulmonary prediction equations in a Jewish immigrant population

SummaryBackgroundEthnic origin affects spirometric prediction values. Our aims were to investigate the effect of ethnic origin on prediction equations in an immigrant-based society, identify possible deviations from commonly used prediction equations and analyze the effect of miscalculation in a large cohort of apparently healthy individuals.MethodsHealthy never-smokers participants from a large Israeli survey underwent lung function testing and were divided into two major ethnic groups: Ashkenazi Jews (AJ) and Sephardic Jews (SJ). Data were analyzed by multiple linear regressions. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio were measured according to ERS-ATS guidelines.ResultsThe study population comprised 3150 individuals (AJ=1817; SJ=1333). AJ tended to be older and taller than SJ (all p