Severe obstructive disease: similarities and differences between smoker and non-smoker patients with COPD and/or...

Poorly reversible airflow obstruction may or may not be related to smoking.

To describe patients with severe obstructive lung disease including etiology, imaging, functional aspects, systemic manifestations, and the pattern of bronchodilator response.

Sixty-eight patients (age 55.9±13.7 years, FEV(1) [forced expiratory volume in one second] 31.9±10.2% predicted) underwent spirometry, evaluation of body mass composition, 6-minute walk test, X-ray, thorax high-resolution CT scanning, and clinical evaluation.

Of 68 patients enrolled, 37 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 31, extensive bronchiectasis. Among COPD patients the CT scans showed emphysema in 78.4%, and bronchiectasis in 48.6%. There were no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers, except for vital capacity, significantly smaller in non-smokers (p<0.001). We found 29 and 20 volume responders (VR) according to Paré et al. (FEV(1)/FVC>1=flow responder or <1=VR) and ATS/ERS criteria, respectively. According to Paré et al. criteria, there were 18 patients with FEV(1)<30% predicted among 29 VR, and 12 with FEV(1)<30% predicted among 39 without volume response (p=0.0101).

In patients with severe obstruction, smoking does not appear to be relevant in determining functional or systemic differences, and Paré et al. criteria can detect more VR. Bronchiectasis is a common finding in severe COPD.