Measuring lung health in a young population

Research question: Can determinants of lung health be identified after first growth stage in young populations? Background: Lung health trajectories have been identified in different populations. Up to 11.6% of the general population could already present altered lung function around 20 years of age, depending on different factors The growth phase lasts until 18-25 years, followed by a plateau phase and then a physiological decline from 40-50 years of age in which lung function decreases due to lung aging. Oscilometry has been proposed as a safe and easy way to measure lung health in different stages. We consider the need to establish a population cohort from the growth stage to describe lung health evolution in this population trying to identify factors associated with lung health. This pilot study will help to explore the best way to develop the cohort and best methodological design. Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive observational pilot study. Participants will be 18 to 25 years old people recruited from educational centres. The inclusion criterion will be to sign the informed consent, without excluding any participant due to their family or personal medical history. A questionnaire will be completed to obtain information about biological characteristics and lung health predisposing/protective factors. Once the form is completed, oscilometry will be performed to obtain reactance and resistance that will provide us with an approximation to the lung health of each participant to define the lung trajectories. In some of the participants, spirometry will be performed to compare to oscilometry results. Questions to discuss: Do the objectives seem interesting and feasible to the audience? Which are the most important determinants of lung health at this stage? Is the pilot methodology (Oscilometry, questionnaire…) the best approach?