Rural-Urban Variation of Pulmonary Function in Relation to Age, Sex and Anthropometric Variables among the Bengalee Population

Abstract

Pulmonary function variables depend on height, age and gender. There is evidence of considerable variations in pulmonary functions in different ethnic groups and across generations. The aim of the present study was to assess pulmonary efficiency parameters of adult Bengalee population and their variations in relation to age, sex and anthropometric variables. Effort was also made to assess the variation of pulmonary functions of the people living in rural and urban areas. A total of 319 subjects were selected for the study having the age range 20-85 years. Among them 171 was male and 148 were female. All the subjects were classified into rural and urban groups. Height and weight were measured with standardized techniques. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed with the help of a portable micro spirometer (Model: DATOSPIR MICROC). BMI and COPD were computed by standardized techniques. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) in height and weight between males and female subjects but no such significant difference was observed in case of BMI. It was observed from the results that in urban population height, weight and BMI values were higher than that of the rural population for both sexes (p<0.05 or lesser). The PFT parameters were significantly higher in male than in females (p<0.001). The results showed that the PFT values were higher in urban areas than that in rural areas for both sexes (p<0.001). There was a significant difference (p<0.05, or lesser) in PFT parameters among three age groups for male subjects. There was a significant correlation (p<0.05 or lesser) between PFT parameters and height, weight and BMI for both sexes. GOLD Spirometric Criteria for COPD Severity was taken for the present study and it was found that most of the subjects of the selected population were belonged to mild COPD for both sexes. It was concluded that there was a clear cut rural urban difference in pulmonary function efficiency parameters. PFT parameters were significantly correlated with height, weight, and BMI parameters.