Indian J Med Res
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The applicability of Caucasian prediction equations in interpreting spirometry data in Indian patients has not been studied. The present study was undertaken to see if Caucasian and north Indian prediction equations can be used interchangeably while interpreting routine spirometric data. ⋯ Our results showed that the use of Caucasian prediction equations, or a fixed percentage of their predicted values, resulted in misinterpretation of spirometry data in a significant proportion of patients. There is a need to assess performance of more than one regression equation before choosing any single prediction equation.