Longitudinal Evaluation of Lung Function Associated with Emphysema in Healthy Smokers.
10.4046/trd.2010.69.3.177
- Author:
Yun Su SIM
1
;
Eunjae HAM
;
Kyu Yong CHOI
;
Suk Young LEE
;
Seok Chan KIM
;
Young Kyoon KIM
;
Sung Hak PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Emphysema;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed;
Smoking;
Spirometry
- MeSH:
Emphysema;
Humans;
Lung;
Lung Diseases;
Lung Neoplasms;
Mass Screening;
Prevalence;
Smoke;
Smoking;
Spirometry;
Thorax;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2010;69(3):177-183
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Smoking reduces pulmonary function and induces various lung diseases. Recently, the rate of emphysema detection has increased due to lung cancer screening with low-dose chest computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in lung function associated with emphysema in healthy smokers. METHODS: One hundred and ninety one healthy smokers, who had undergone a low-dose chest CT (LDCT) scan as part of lung cancer screening and had revisited the health center after a median 23.9 months' time, were recruited into this study. The severity of emphysema was calculated by the direct observation of a radiologist and a pulmonologist indipendently. Longitudinal changes in lung function according to emphysema based on LDCT and type of smoker was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the participants in this study, 25% of healthy smokers had emphysema, which was mild in severity, in older patients (p=0.003) and in heavy smokers (p<0.001). FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% were decreased in current smokers with emphysema (p=0.001 and p=0.009, respectively) and without emphysema (p=0.001 and p=0.042). Although lung function was not decreased in ex-smokers without emphysema, FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% were decreased in ex-smoker with emphysema (p=0.020 and p=0.010). CONCLUSION: Upon examination with LDCT, the prevalence of emphysema was higher in healthy smokers was than in non-smokers. Lung function was diminished in smokers with emphysema, in spite of former smoker.
