RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Reference values for spirometry in healthy subjects 17 to 25 years JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P3200 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Ivânia Gonçalves A1 Bárbara Tavares A1 Sandra Gomes A1 Tiago Jacinto YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3200.abstract AB Background: Spirometry is the most common way to evaluate pulmonary function. The European Respiratory Society recommends the development of new reference equations, in order to upgrade and improve the existing ones.Aim: Develop reference equations to calculate reference values adjusted to a healthy population of college students.Methods: A total of 49 healthy female individuals with ages ranging 17 to 25 years old were enrolled in the present study. A standardized respiratory and allergy symptoms questionnaire was applied and spirometry was performed in the selected individuals. FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC were used as dependent variables in simple and multivariate linear regression models.Results: Height is the variable that best explains variation of FEV1 (r2 = 0.36; p < 0.001) and FVC (r2 = 0.44; p < 0.001), while weight is the variable that best explains FEV1/FVC (r2 = 0.15; p = 0.006). Knudson's equations were the most different from this model, while Quanjer's were the closest.Conclusions: We've calculated new reference equations for healthy individuals, with ages ranging from 17 to 25 years old. The results highlight the need for the use of appropriate reference equations, taking into consideration the individual characteristics of the target population.