Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) is a variable widely used to assess the effectiveness of coughing and to identify airway obstruction. This measurement can be obtained using the Peak Flow Meter, a portable equipment that is easy to access, perform and handle. However, specific studies that propose reference values for the Brazilian elderly people are still scarce.

To describe PEF scores according to age group and propose reference values for community-dwelling elderly in the Amazon region.

Cross-sectional study carried out with community-dwelling elderly in Macapá, Amapá. The PEF was evaluated using an expiratory flow meter and the sample characterization data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. A descriptive statistical analysis of the data was carried out using means, standard deviations, absolute values, percentages, and percentiles P10, P20, P30, P40, P50, P60, P70, P80, P90 stratified by sex and age groups (60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80 or more).

A total of 409 elderly people were evaluated, of whom 138 (33.74%) were men and 271 (66.26%) were women. The largest number of seniors evaluated in total was in the age group of 60 to 64 years (n=110), with the highest mean value obtained from PEF, both for the total sample (307.20±137.03 L/min) and for men (n=44; 407.04±130.35L/min) and women (n=66; 240.65±94.88L/min). PEF was reduced with advancing age in both sexes, with a decrease of 167.71±35.53 L/min for men and 67.94±29.27 L/min for women, in the elderly age group younger that elderly people with more advanced age. PEF normative values with scores distributed in ascending order according to the 10th percentile (worst value) were 122L/min, 205L/min and 110L/min, and the 90th percentile (best value) were 500L/min, 575L/min and 360L/min, respectively of the total sample, men and women.

The present study provides PEF reference values for a representative sample of community-dwelling elderly in the Amazon region, according to gender and age group.

Based on the reference values developed in our study, it is possible to help physiotherapists in clinical practice during the evaluation of PEF measurements in the elderly, in relation to normal values for a given age group and gender. Additionally, based on studies such as ours, there is an incentive for health professionals to pay greater attention to the respiratory health of the elderly population, because although respiratory diseases are the main causes of morbidity and mortality among the elderly, they still need to be included in models of geriatric assessments.