Lung volume indices predict morbidity in smokers with preserved spirometry.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Abnormal lung volumes that reflect air trapping are common in COPD. However, their significance in smokers with preserved spirometry (normal FEV₁ to FVC ratio) is unclear.

Methods

Using the Veterans Administration Informatics and Computing Infrastructure database, we identified 7479 patients at risk for COPD (ever smokers >40 years of age without restrictive lung disease) who had preserved spirometry and concomitant lung volume measurements, and examined their subsequent health records for clinical diagnoses of COPD, healthcare utilisation, follow-up spirometry and mortality.

Results

Air trapping was prevalent, with 31% of patients having residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (RV:TLC) greater than the upper limit of normal (ULN). RV:TLC va

SUBMITTER: Zeng S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7476802 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature