Should We Use Race-Based Corrections for Spirometry?

When interpreting spirometry, published normative values differ among various ethnic groups. In the U.S., spirometers use either race-specific reference values based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (conducted from 1988–1994), or a “correction factor” which assumes forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) values for Black patients are roughly 15% lower than for white patients of the same sex, height, and age.

Researchers examined data from the MESA Lung Study, in which 3344 middle-aged and older U.S. adults (mean age, 65) without known chronic lower respiratory disease underwent spirometry between 2004 and 2006. Participants who self-identified as Black, white, Asian, or Hispanic …