English summary: DIFFUSING CAPACITY REFERENCE VALUES IN NON-FINNISH IMMIGRANTS

Background

Most non-Finnish subjects have smaller lung volumes in relation to height than Finns. The aim of this study was to compare the European (ECSC) and Finnish reference values for single breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide in order to find out how the diffusing capacity results should be interpreted in non-Finnish immigrants.

Methods

Finnish reference values for diffusing capacity (DL_CO) and total lung capacity (TLC) were compared with ECSC reference values in men and women of different height and weight.

Results

The Finnish reference value for DL_CO in the age group of 35-40 years was 3-10% lower than the ECSC reference value, in young and old men it was at most 12% lower, and in young women 20% lower. The Finnish reference value for TLC was 2-14% higher than the ECSC reference value.

Conclusions

The reference values for diffusing capacity measurement should be corrected according to the ethnic origin of the subject. Since methodological differences influence the results, the measurements should be performed with the same method as that used for establishment of the reference values.