Oscherwitz, M. (USPHS Hospital, San Francisco, Calif. 94118), S. A. Edlavitch, T. R. Baker and T. Jarboe. Differences in pulmonary functions in various racial groups. Am J Epidemiol 96: 319–327, 1972.—Marked racial differences in pulmonary function tests—forced expiratory volume (liters) in 1 second, forced vital capacity (liters), and percentage of forced expiratory capacity expired in 1 second (FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC%)—were observed in a population of 554 white males, 110 Negroes, and 69 Asians (American seamen, USPHS hospital employees and beneficiaries). Statistically significant differences were found between all three races in the mean FVC (p < .01). For whites, the observed mean FVC was 4.27L, for Negroes 3.72L, and for Asians 3.31L. The mean observed FEV1 for whites was 3.17L, for Negroes 2.84L, and for Asians, 2.53L. Whites had significantly smaller mean FEV1/FVC% than Negroes and Asians (p < .01), but the difference between Negroes and Asians was not statistically significant. The mean FEV1/FVC% was 73.6 for whites, 76.1 for Negroes, and 76.0 for Asians. The differences in pulmonary function among the racial groups could not be explained by age, height, weight, amount of cigarettes smoked, or differing prevalence of chronic bronchitis. These racial differences in pulmonary function are of such a magnitude that assessment of pulmonary impairment by means of vital capacity should be based on race specific norms.
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Oscherwitz et al. (1972) studied this question.