| Longitudinal Evaluation of Lung Function Associated with Emphysema in Healthy Smokers. |
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Yun Su Sim, Eunjae Ham, Kyu Yong Choi, Suk Young Lee, Seok Chan Kim, Young Kyoon Kim, Sung Hak Park |
1Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
2Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. youngkim@catholic.ac.kr |
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| 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. |
| Key Words:
Emphysema, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Smoking, Spirometry |
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