Title:Assessing the Application of the Reference Lung Age Equations on the Jordanian Population
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 4
Author(s):Walid Al-Qerem*, Ezeddin S. Gassar, Alaa M. Hammad, Rania A. Al-Qirim, Yazun B. Jarrar, Jonathan Ling and Iman A. Basheti
Affiliation:Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing University of Sunderland, England, Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman
Keywords:Chronological lung age, estimated lung age, Jordan, Middle East, respiratory health, smoking cessation,
spirometry, water pipe smoking.
Abstract:Background: Smoking is a major health-related problem in Jordan due to which an
effective smoking cessation program is needed. Lung Age which emphasizes the concept of a
premature aging of the lungs, is a simple notion that smokers can grasp. Employing reference lung
age equations can help health care providers convince smokers to quit. In this study the applicability
of reference equations was assessed in estimating lung age for the Jordanian population, to aid
smoking cessation.
Methods: Adult Jordanians were recruited from Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan and from several
community pharmacies, polyclinics and hospitals located in different areas in Jordan. Overall, 1767
participants of both genders from different age groups were recruited to evaluate the applicability of
different reference lung equations for the Estimated Lung Age (ELA). SPSS was used to conduct all
statistical analysis.
Results: A paired t-test showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between the Chronological Lung
Age (CLA) and the ELA among the non-smokers. Similarly, some reference equations including
Hansen and Morris and Temple FEF25-75 equations failed to show significant differences in ELACLA
between different smoking status groups for women.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that the current lung age equations are not reliable in predicting
lung age among the Jordanian population, and thus cannot be used in smoking cessation programs.
