| Summary: | Introduction: Anthropometrical data of the Caucasian population have significantly changed within the last five decades. Therefore the question arises whether the commonly used reference recommendations for lung function of the European Community for Coal and Steel (ECCS) can still be accepted currently. Based on the obvious fact that there is an age independent plateau phase of lung function parameters in young adults from 18 to 25 years of age, the ECCS recommends the entry of 25 years for calculation of reference values in this age range. Methods: Lung function was examined by pneumotachography, recording static lung volumes and flow-volume-correlations (MasterScreen Pneumo, CareFusion, Höchberg) of 165 female and 152 male asymptomatic non smoking medical students, aged 18 to 26 years, according to the ATS/ERS criteria. Results were compared to the reference recommendations of ECCS, SAPALDIA, LuftiBus, and Bochum. Results: In the investigation of young adults of this narrow age range, no significant correlation between height and BMI with age was found in males and females, but a slight tendency of BMI increasing with age. Lung function parameters (IVC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1%FVC, PEF, MEF75,50,25) significantly (<0,01) correlated with height. Mean values of all investigated parameters were 5.5% higher in males and 0.6% higher in females compared to predicted values by ECCS, SAPALDIA, or LuftiBus. Data obtained from males showed the closest correlation with Bochum lung function values (98.0 ± 7.2%pred.) Summary: Lung function parameters of young adult males were nearly 5% higher compared to the reference values of the ECCS and showed a plateau phase. The alternatively considered reference values of the SAPALDIA-, or LuftiBus-Study do not incorporate all necessary parameters and/or the age range. A multi centre study for contemporary reference values is recommended
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