Background Forced expiratory volume in 1 s quotient (FEV 1 Q) is a race-neutral expression of lung function. The validity and utility of FEV 1 Q across Global South populations has not been previously explored.
Methods We conducted a post-hoc analysis of data from the Global Excellence in COPD Outcomes-1 and -2 (GECo1 and GECo2) studies in which a random age- and sex-stratified population of 10 709 people were recruited in Nepal, Peru and Uganda. The FEV 1 first percentile (used to derive FEV 1 Q) was estimated in those with COPD by site and sex.
We examined associations between FEV 1 Q, risk factors and respiratory morbidity. We estimated the rate of decline in FEV 1 Q.
We evaluated the discriminative accuracy of FEV 1 Q in diagnosing COPD. Results The first percentiles of FEV 1 in those with COPD, at 0.43 L in women and 0.52 L in men, were similar to those previously used to calculate FEV 1 Q.
Lower FEV 1 Q was associated with older age, lower socioeconomic status, shorter height and greater smoking pack-years.
European Respiratory Journal published a clinical update in Critical Care on 07 May 2026.
The item focuses on FEV1Q as a race-neutral assessment of lung function in Nepal, Peru and Uganda.
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