Prediction equations for the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung (DLCO) and diffusing capacity per liter of lung volume (DLCO/VA) were derived from 90 normal nonsmoking subjects (40 men and 50 women), using a standardized single-breath technique for determining carbon monoxide diffusing capacity.
The results obtained are as follows:
The mean values for DLCO and DLCO/VA were 28.05±5.07 ml/min/mmHg, 4.569±0.694 ml/min/mmHg/L for men and 20.79±4.03 ml/min/mmHg, 4.695±0.743 ml/min/mmHg/L for women, respectively.
The values for DLCO and DLCO/VA disclosed significantly negative correlation with advancing age and positive correlation with height.
Normal prediction formulas were obtained for diffusing capacity, using age and height.