LUNG VARIABLES IN THE STUDENTS OF RAJSHAHI UNIVERSITY

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to assess lung related variables for the students of Rajshahi University. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 862 students (578 males and 284 females) who were selected through stratified random sampling technique from the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. The variables in relation to lung [e.g., vital capacity (VC), tidal volume (TV), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in one second as percentage (FEV1%), Maximum Mid-expiratory Flow (MMF), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Flow at 25 Percentage (FEF25%), Forced Expiratory Flow at 50 Percentage (FEF50%), Forced Expiratory Flow at 75 Percentage (FEF75%), Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) as well as Respiration Rate (RR)] were measured accordingly and analyzed using the software IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Results: Descriptive statistics of all the lung related variables were less in magnitude compared to other countries. Significant gender differences have found in VC, TV, IRV, ERV, FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, MMF, PEFR, FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75%, MVV as well as RR. For male, BMI showed significant positive relation with VC, IRV, FVC, FEV1, and MVV, and significant negative relation with FEV1%. For female, BMI showed significant positive relation with VC, TV, IRV, FVC, FEV1, MMF, PEFR, FEF25%, and FEF50%, and significant negative relation with RR. The mean value of lung indices was important determinant and also more reliable in males compare to females and it was also less than the values of other countries. The correlation pattern was different, except VC, IRV, FEV1 in both males and females and it was less significant than other countries and consists of biological inherent disparity in lung indices. The relationship between BMI with lung indices demanded further study for student?s health policy and action. Conclusion: To improve lung capacity, the student should take care of their food quality, health care and health awareness.