@article{Meme:2026:10.1183/23120541.01577-2025,
author = {Meme, H and Matu, S and Orina, F and Miheso, B and Kiplimo, R and Ndombi, A and Kathure, I and Kinyanjui, J and Amukoye, E and Chakaya, J and He, N and Bowyer, C and Gray, CM and Lesosky, M and Mortimer, K and Semple, S and West, SE and Zurba, L and Binegdie, AB and El, Sony A and Devereux, G},
doi = {10.1183/23120541.01577-2025},
journal = {ERJ Open Res},
title = {Lung function across the life course in Kenya: a series of cross-sectional surveys.},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/23120541.01577-2025},
volume = {12},
year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of COPD in sub-Saharan Africa is poorly understood. In high-income countries, COPD is the consequence of suboptimal lung growth during childhood and/or accelerated lung function decline in adult life. We have conducted cross-sectional studies to measure the lung function of children and adults in Kenya and to identify associations with age. METHODS: We performed spirometry in three groups in Kenya: a random sample of schoolchildren in two districts of urban Nairobi and age/sex-stratified representative community samples of adults in Nairobi and rural Machakos. Forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity were expressed as z-scores using race-neutral GLI-Global reference equations. RESULTS: The mean (95% CI) FEV1 z-score in Nairobi schoolchildren (n=2373, median age 10years (IQR 8-13) 52% girls) was -0.60 (-0.64--0.55); in Nairobi adults (n=2936, median age 32years (24-43), 62% female) -0.49 (-0.53--0.45); and in Machakos adults (n=1607, median age 46years (35-59), 65% female) -0.67 (-0.72--0.61). In adults, FEV1 was negatively associated with age (FEV1 z-score regression coefficient β -0.005/year (95% CI -0.009--0.002) p=0.005, and there was a negative interaction between residence in Nairobi and age, β -0.006/year (95% CI -0.011--0.001), p=0.020. CONCLUSION: The lung function of children and adults in Kenya was lower than predicted by race-neutral Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI)-Global reference equations. In adults, a negative association between lung function and age was greater in urban, than in rural, settings. Further work is required to identify and mitigate relevant influences.
AU  - Meme,H
AU  - Matu,S
AU  - Orina,F
AU  - Miheso,B
AU  - Kiplimo,R
AU  - Ndombi,A
AU  - Kathure,I
AU  - Kinyanjui,J
AU  - Amukoye,E
AU  - Chakaya,J
AU  - He,N
AU  - Bowyer,C
AU  - Gray,CM
AU  - Lesosky,M
AU  - Mortimer,K
AU  - Semple,S
AU  - West,SE
AU  - Zurba,L
AU  - Binegdie,AB
AU  - El,Sony A
AU  - Devereux,G
DO  - 10.1183/23120541.01577-2025
PY  - 2026///
SN  - 2312-0541
TI  - Lung function across the life course in Kenya: a series of cross-sectional surveys.
T2  - ERJ Open Res
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/23120541.01577-2025
UR  - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42440823
VL  - 12
ER  - 

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