Lung Volumes in Healthy Nonsmoking Adults

Total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity, residual volume, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were measured in 245 healthy nonsmoking person (122 women, 123 men) using a single-breath helium technique. Prediction equations for lung volumes were generated by multiple linear regression. The resultant equations are similar to previously published equations using multiple-breath gas equilibration techniques. Measured 95% confidence intervals can be closely approximated by using two times the standard error of the estimate for each equation, but cannot be approximated by using +/- 20% of the predicted value. Radiographic TLC was not significantly different from the helium dilution TLC.