Study on the correlation between vital capacity and maximum chest expansion in Nepalese healthy young adults.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives: Vital capacity (VC) is frequently measured by clinicians as an index of ventilator function. It is one of the most important parameters of pulmonary function test. Measurement of chest expansion (CE) could be also important when exploring reasons for impaired pulmonary function. The relationship between vital capacity and chest expansion has not been reported ±previously among Nepalese population. This study was aimed to correlate the vital capacity with maximum chest expansion in medical and dental students of Nepal Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiology at Nepal Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal. Male and female students in the first and second years of MBBS and BDS programs were studied. Informed written consent was taken from the students prior to the study. Chest expansion was calculated as a difference between maximal inspiration and expiration measured by using an inelastic measuring tape. The measurements were taken at the level of both upper and lower thorax. Vital capacity was recorded using computerized spirometer. Correlation was determined by Pearson product moment correlation coefficient.

Results: Of the total 223 students, 152 (68.16%) were male and 71 (31.84%) were female. Participant's mean age was 19.62±1.20 years for male and 18.45±1.05 years for female, mean height was 172.96±8.33 cms for male and 159.97±5.77 cms for female, and mean weight was 65.77±10.63 kg for male and 54.54±8.31 kg for female. Mean vital capacity was 4.15±0.53 L for male and 2.80±0.34 L for female. Mean chest expansion at upper level was 8.65±1.85 cms for male and 6.07±1.57 cms for female. Mean chest expansion at lower level was 8.79±1.84 cms for male and 5.07±1.76 cms for female. Both vital capacity (VC) and chest expansion (CE) measurements exhibited significantly higher values in males than females (p<0.01). Statistically, there was a highly significant strong correlation between vital capacity and chest expansion (r = +0.71, p<0.01). Among general characteristics, VC correlated strongly with height followed by weight and age (r = +0.80, r= +0.56 and r = +0.27 respectively). VC showed insignificant positive correlation with BMI (r = +0.11,p>0.05). Chest expansion showed highest correlation with height followed by weight and age (r= +0.57, r= +0.26 and r = +0.25 respectively). CE showed insignificant negative correlation with BMI (r= -0.005, p>0.050.

Conclusion: This study established the strong correlation between vital capacity and chest expansion in Nepalese young adults (r = +0.71). So, chest expansion measurement- a method which is inexpensive, easily obtainable, easy to learn, and appropriate for use in clinical settings can be used in place of vital capacity measurement as an alternative tool. Present study also established the normative values for chest expansion and vital capacity for Nepalese young adult population.

Keywords: Chest expansion, correlation, Nepalese young adults, vital capacity.