Evaluation of FEV1Q in three Global South populations: a race-neutral approach to lung function assessment

<bold>Background:</bold> FEV1Q quantifies the number of multiples FEV1 is above a putative lower survivable limit (0.4L in females and 0.5L in males), derived from the first percentile of FEV1 in a UK reference population. FEV1Q emerged as an alternative to the contentious estimation of predicted lung function compared to healthy reference populations. While previous research has demonstrated the utility of FEV1Q in predicting survival in COPD, it remains important to investigate the impact of race on its estimation. <bold>Aim:</bold> We aimed to assess variation in FEV1Q across three distinct settings. <bold>Methods:</bold> We conducted a posthoc analysis of spirometry data from individuals recruited to the Global Excellence in COPD Outcomes (GECo) study. This study recruited a random population sample ≥40 years from three settings (Nepal, Peru and Uganda). FEV1Q was calculated by dividing FEV1 by 0.4L for females and 0.5L for males. <bold>Results:</bold> Among 10,709 adults, there was a significant difference across populations in FEV1 and FEV1/height2. FEV1Q also differed, however the lower boundary of FEV1, indicated by the first percentile value, was not statistically different. The first percentiles were higher than the 0.4 and 0.5L used to calculate FEV1Q (Table). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> First percentile FEV1 did not differ across these three diverse populations but we did find differences in FEV1Q. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/OA2882/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>