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The FEV1/FEV6 ratio is a good substitute for the FEV1/FVC ratio in the elderly

Primary Care Respiratory Journal volume 15, pages 294–298 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Aims:

To determine the agreement between the FEV1/FEV6 ratio and the FEV1/FVC ratio in an elderly population.

Method:

The study sample consisted of 3874 participants in a cross-sectional population survey in Tromso¨, Norway, aged 60 years or more, in whom acceptable spirometry had been obtained. Mean differences between the FEV1/FEV6 ratio (%) and the FEV1/FVC ratio (%) were calculated according to age, sex, smoking habit, and the degree of airflow limitation. ROC-curve analysis and Kappa-statistics were used to estimate the utility of the FEV1/FEV6 ratio in predicting an FEV1/FVC ratio< 70%.

Results:

The mean difference between FEV1/FEV6% and FEV1/FVC% was 2.7% in both men and women. The difference between the two measures increased somewhat with increasing age, and was more pronounced with smoking and decreasing FEV1/FVC ratio. The value for the FEV1/FEV6 ratio which best predicted an FEV1/FVC ratio of 70%, was 73%, and a very good agreement was found between these two cutoff values (kappa = 0.86).

Conclusion:

The FEV1/FEV6 ratio appears to be a good substitute for the FEV1/FVC ratio in an elderly population.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, 9037, Norway

    Hasse Melbye & Astri Medbø

  2. Primary Care Respiratory Unit, School of Public Health and Clinical Practice, University of Adelaide, 5005, SA, Australia

    Alan Crockett

Authors
  1. Hasse Melbye
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  2. Astri Medbø
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  3. Alan Crockett
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hasse Melbye.

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Cite this article

Melbye, H., Medbø, A. & Crockett, A. The FEV1/FEV6 ratio is a good substitute for the FEV1/FVC ratio in the elderly. Prim Care Respir J 15, 294–298 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrj.2006.07.002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrj.2006.07.002

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