The Pulmonary function tests in subjects with normal BMI and with obese individuals were done and correlated with the severity of obesity. Considering the PFT changes, normal study was present in 17%. But, remaining individuals showed proportionate decrease in both FEV1 and FVC values. These changes were independent of age, sex and blood pressure. So, the PFT changes are more of restrictive than obstructive pattern which can leads to decreased chest wall and lung compliance, respiratory muscle strength and endurance which ultimately ends in poor pulmonary ventilation.Hence, this non-invasive procedure may be utilized as a routine screening test for obese people for better medical care. Thus, obesity is associated with a wide variety of PFT abnormalities, many of which can be corrected by weight loss.

Keywords: Pulmonary function tests, Obesity, FEV1, FVC.

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Dr Kanmani Karthikkeyan M.D.

Department of Physiology, Govt. Thiruvarur Medical College