• Walid Al-Qerem.
• Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
• Int. J. Clin. Pract. 2021 Oct 1; 75 (10): e14598.

BackgroundSpirometry is a clinically useful test that can be used to assess lung function among children. Different equations had been formulated to determine the spirometric reference values depending on several individual characteristics. However, the widely used equations do not produce perfect suitability for Middle Eastern children.ObjectivesThis study aims to formulate Middle Eastern-specific equations that may be applicable for other populations in the region.MethodsThe spirometric data were collected from Jordanian children between the ages of 6 and 17 years. The collected data were used to formulate customised reference equations for Middle Eastern children using generalised additive models for location, scale and shape. The newly formulated equation results were compared with Global Lung Initiative 2012 (GLI-2012) equations predicted values.ResultsSpirometric values for 1576 healthy participants (870 males) were used to formulate the new equations. The assessment of z-scores produced by the present study equations and GLI-2012 indicated that the new equations were more suitable than GLI-2012 for Middle Eastern children. In-depth analysis of the results indicated that the suitability of GLI-2012 equations varied between different age points.ConclusionThis study formulated new spirometric reference equations for Middle Eastern children that can improve the diagnosis and management of different respiratory conditions.© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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