PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Anthony A. Cochet AU - Pedro F. Lucero AU - Lisa L. Zacher AU - Michael J. Morris TI - Prevalence of Supranormal Pulmonary Function Testing Values Between a Military and Non-Military Cohort AID - 10.4187/respcare.02112 DP - 2013 Sep 17 TA - Respiratory Care PG - respcare.02112 4099 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/early/2013/09/17/respcare.02112.short 4100 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/early/2013/09/17/respcare.02112.full AB - Purpose: The study objective was to determine differences in the proportion of supranormal pulmonary function tests (PFTs) between active duty military personnel and a similar non-active duty population. Given the emphasis on cardiovascular fitness in the military, it has been hypothesized that regular exercise in this cohort leads to an increased proportion of supranormal PFTs. We hypothesized a comparison of PFTs would identify no differences in the ratio of supranormal to normal PFTs between the active duty and non-active duty populations. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all pulmonary function testing studies at Brooke Army Medical Center from 2006-2011. Studies were included with either a forced vital capacity or forced expiratory volume at one second >110% predicted with both values greater than 100% predicted. A comparative analysis was performed for patients between the ages 18 to 50 based on active duty status. Further analysis was performed on all ages to determine the distribution of supranormal findings in the entire study population. Results: A total of 16,600 interpreted pulmonary function tests were queried. Of those, 4303 (31.6%) were active duty patients and 9306 (68.4%) were non-active duty patients. From all the PFTs reviewed, a total of 912 (6.7%) were identified as supranormal. When further analyzed, 381 (9.4%) of active duty age 18-50 were supranormal, 175 (12.4%) of non-active duty patients ages 18-50 were supranormal, and 356 (4.7%) of non-active duty patients age greater than 50 were supranormal. Conclusion: This study revealed no significant difference in the proportion of supranormal to normal PFTs in an active duty versus non-active duty population of the same age range. Based on these findings, no assumption should be made that supranormal PFTs are more common in military personnel. Interpretation of normal PFTs in active duty personnel undergoing evaluation should not differ from any typical patient.