Statistic question involving pulmonary function

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the probability of functional impairment in a 45-year-old non-smoking man with a Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV) of 4.0 L by age 75. The FEV for non-smoking men aged 45-54 is normally distributed with a mean of 4.0 L and a standard deviation of 0.5 L. The decline in FEV over 30 years (n=30) is modeled with a mean decline of 0.9 L and a standard deviation of 0.6 L. A critical point raised is the need for a defined threshold for functional impairment to complete the probability calculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of normal distribution and its properties
  • Knowledge of Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV) metrics
  • Statistical concepts related to mean and standard deviation
  • Basic principles of probability calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the clinical definitions of functional impairment in pulmonary function
  • Learn about statistical methods for calculating probabilities in normal distributions
  • Explore the implications of age and smoking on pulmonary function metrics
  • Study the application of statistical software for modeling health-related data
USEFUL FOR

Healthcare professionals, statisticians, and researchers focused on pulmonary health, as well as students studying biostatistics or epidemiology.

flip290
Messages
14
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Forced expiratory volume (FEV) is an index of pulmonary function that measures the volume of air expelled after 1 second. FEV is influenced by age, sex and cigarette smoking. Assume that in 45- to 54-year-old nonsmoking men FEV is normally distributed with mean = 4.0 L and standard deviation = 0.5L.
But for 45- to 54-year-old smoking men FEV is normally distributed, with mean 3.5 L and standard deviation = 0.6 L.
Some people are not functionally impaired now, but their pulmonary function usually declines with age and they eventually will be functionally impaired. Assume that the decline in FEV over n years is normally distributed, with mean = 0.03n L and standard deviation = 0.02n L. What is the probability that a 45-year-old non-smoking man with an FEV of 4.0 L will be functionally impaired by age 75?


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that the mean for decline is going to be 0.9L and the standard deviation will be 0.6L because n=30 but I do not know where to go from there.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
flip290 said:

Homework Statement


Forced expiratory volume (FEV) is an index of pulmonary function that measures the volume of air expelled after 1 second. FEV is influenced by age, sex and cigarette smoking. Assume that in 45- to 54-year-old nonsmoking men FEV is normally distributed with mean = 4.0 L and standard deviation = 0.5L.
But for 45- to 54-year-old smoking men FEV is normally distributed, with mean 3.5 L and standard deviation = 0.6 L.
Some people are not functionally impaired now, but their pulmonary function usually declines with age and they eventually will be functionally impaired. Assume that the decline in FEV over n years is normally distributed, with mean = 0.03n L and standard deviation = 0.02n L. What is the probability that a 45-year-old non-smoking man with an FEV of 4.0 L will be functionally impaired by age 75?


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that the mean for decline is going to be 0.9L and the standard deviation will be 0.6L because n=30 but I do not know where to go from there.

What is the number that defines functional impairment? The question is impossible to answer without knowing that.

RGV
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
15K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
3K