Longitudinal associations of socioeconomic position in childhood and adulthood with decline in lung function over 20 years: results from a population-based cohort of British men

This study examined the association between socioeconomic position in childhood and adulthood with changes in lung function over a 20-year period (from 1978–1980 to 1998–2000) in a socioeconomically representative cohort of 7735 men in Britain aged 40–59 years. FEV1 and FVC were measured at baseline using a Vitalograph spirometer and at a 20-year follow-up visit using a calibrated Vitalograph COMPACT spirometer.