Variations of peak expiratory flow rate with anthropometric determinants in a population of healthy adult nigerians.

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured in 300 healthy adult male and female staff and students of the University of Benin, Benin City, and the College of Education, Ekiadolor, near Benin. The variations of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate with respect to height (ht), weight (wt) and chest circumference (cc) were determined in these subjects. PEFR values fell within the middle to the lower limits of the range for the general male and female populations. There was a linear increase in PEFR with respect to the three anthropometric variables (ht, wt and cc) only in the young adult males, whereas in the older adult males and females, PEFR fluctuated considerably with the variables. PEFR correlates more with height, weight and chest circumference in young adults than in older adults. Respiratory function indices collected from healthy young adults may be more reliable and predictable than those from older adults.