Masekela, RHall, G.LStanojevic, SSartorius, BMacGinty, RBenn Saad, HTrabelsi, YMessan, FArigliani, MKetfi, AGray, D2024-06-092024-06-092019-08-01Masekela R, Hall GL, Stanojevic S, Sartorius B, MacGinty R, Saad HB, Trabelsi Y, Messan F, Arigliani M, Ketfi A, Gray D. An urgent need for African spirometry reference equations: the Paediatric and Adult African Spirometry study. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2019 Aug 1;23(8):952-958. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.18.0442.https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.18.0442https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31533886/https://hdl.handle.net/11288/596367BACKGROUND: The GLI2012 (Global Lung Initiative 2012) has provided the largest data set to date for multi-ethnic spirometry reference equations; however, data on African populations are limited. In pulmonary function testing, diagnosis of lung disorder is based on comparing the individual's lung function to a reference appropriate for sex and ethnicity. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting spirometry results in healthy children and adults in Africa. Data from these studies were collated for Z-scores of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (zFEV1), forced vital capacity (zFVC) and zFEV1/FVC compared to GLI reference equations. RESULTS: Nine studies, covering a total of 4750 individuals from North, South, East, West and Central Africa (52% were female), were reviewed. Marked differences were noted between individuals from North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The Southern zFEV1 (−0.12 ± 0.98), zFVC (−0.15 ± 0.98) and zFEV1/FVC (0.05 ± 0.89), Central zFEV1 (−0.16 ± 0.79), zFVC (−0.09 ± 0.83) and zFEV1/FVC (−0.17 ± 0.71) and East African zFEV1 (0.10 ± 0.88), zFVC (0.16 ± 0.85) and zFEV1/FVC (−0.10 ± 0.95) cohorts had an excellent fit with the GLI-African American. The West African showed a poor fit to all reference equations. The North African group showed the best fit for the GLI Caucasian zFEV1 (−0.12 ± 1.37), zFVC (−0.26 ± 1.36) and zFEV1/FVC (0.25 ± 1.11). The zFEV1/FVC ratios were stable across all the populations. CONCLUSION: Current evidence seems to support the use of GLI2012 reference values in North African and sub-Saharan African populations after taking into account ethnic correction factors.enAttribution 3.0 United Stateshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/AfricaGlobal lung initiativeHealthyLung functionPopulationArticleInternational Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease