Short communication- A Rwandan spirometry and resting ventilation study

To illustrate spirometric population variation and ventilatory adaptation to moderate altitude, we report the spirometric and resting ventilation values observed in a student population in Butare, Rwanda (altitude: 1 768 m; barometric pressure: 629 mm Hg). Spirometry was carried out with a Mijnhardt Volutest VT-3 water-sealed spirometer in students aged between 20 and 30 years. The results (mean ± SD) are as follows: Vital capacity: males: 4 123 ± 537 mL, females: 2 810 ± 393 mL; Vital capacity per m² body surface area: males: 2 352 ± 245 mL/m², females: 1 771 ± 219 mL/m²; FEV1: males: 3 576 ± 618 mL, females: 2 347 ± 474 mL; FEV1%: males: 87.8 ± 8.5 %, females: 84.5 ± 7.7 %; tidal volume: males: 540 ± 80 mL, females: 454 ± 66 mL; respiratory frequency: 17 ± 4 both in males and in females; minute volume: males: 9.3 ± 2.7 L/min., females: 7.6 ± 2.0 L/min. The results indicate that the vital capacity and the FEV1 are lower than classical values from white populations, FEV1% is higher. The tidal volume, respiratory frequency and minute volume are increased relative to sea level.