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Correlation Between Emphysema and Lung Function in Healthy Smokers and Smokers With COPD.
Laura H Thomsen1, Saher B Shaker1, Asger Dirksen1
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (Miami, Fla.)
|August 30, 2017
Summary
Lung function (FEV1) strongly correlates with CT-measured emphysema (PD15) at baseline in smokers. However, the decline in lung function and emphysema progression show a weaker correlation over 3-4 years.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Radiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Emphysema is a key component of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
- Previous studies show varied correlations between airflow limitation (AFL) and CT lung density as an emphysema surrogate.
- Hypothesized strong correlation between lung function (FEV1) and emphysema (PD15), and its longitudinal progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between FEV1 and CT-derived emphysema measures.
- To assess the longitudinal relationship between lung function decline and emphysema progression.
Main Methods:
- Combined data from two large longitudinal studies (DLCST and ECLIPSE).
- Analyzed 2148 participants (smokers/former smokers) with at least two CT scans and FEV1 measurements ≥3 years apart.
- Assessed correlation between baseline FEV1 and PD15, and between the decline in FEV1 and PD15 progression.
Main Results:
- High baseline correlation between FEV1 and PD15 (r=0.716), indicating CT density explains over half of FEV1 variation.
- Weak correlation between the decline in FEV1 and the progression of PD15 (r=0.081).
Conclusions:
- Strong correlation exists between lung density and lung function in a diverse group of smokers and ex-smokers.
- Temporal associations (slopes) between lung function decline and emphysema progression are weakly correlated over short durations (3-4 years).
- Potential uncertainty in slope estimation within short time frames may explain weak longitudinal correlations.
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