Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Nitrogen washout and mortality.

H A Menkes, T H Beaty, B H Cohen

The American Review of Respiratory Disease

|July 1, 1985

Summary

Pulmonary function tests, particularly the slope of phase III from single-breath nitrogen washout, strongly predict overall mortality, even from non-lung causes. This suggests lungs may protect other organs or reflect broader health issues.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Gene-Gene Interactions among SPRYs for Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip/Palate.

Journal of dental research·2018

Same author

Evidence of interaction between genes in the folate/homocysteine metabolic pathway in controlling risk of non-syndromic oral cleft.

Oral diseases·2018

Same author

Integrating RNA Expression Identifies Candidate Gene for Orofacial Clefts.

Journal of dental research·2017

Same author

A genome-wide analysis of the response to inhaled β2-agonists in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The pharmacogenomics journal·2015

Same author

GCKR and PPP1R3B identified as genome-wide significant loci for plasma lactate: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association·2015

Same author

IRF6 mutation screening in non-syndromic orofacial clefting: analysis of 1521 families.

Clinical genetics·2015

Area of Science:

Pulmonary Medicine
Epidemiology
Respiratory Physiology

Background:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) epidemiology studies provide valuable insights into respiratory health.
Understanding the link between pulmonary function and mortality is crucial for public health.
Previous research has explored various lung function metrics, but their predictive power for overall mortality requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between diverse pulmonary function tests and subsequent all-cause mortality.
To determine if specific lung function measures, including single-breath nitrogen washout, are stronger predictors of mortality than traditional spirometry.

Main Methods:

Utilized data from 2,539 non-patient adults in a COPD epidemiology study (1971-1976).
Assessed multiple pulmonary function tests: forced expiratory volume (FEV) metrics, diffusing capacity for CO, closing capacity, and single-breath nitrogen washout (including slope of phase III).
Followed subjects until 1981, recording 115 deaths, and analyzed associations adjusted for age and smoking status.

Main Results:

The slope of phase III from single-breath nitrogen washout demonstrated a strong association with subsequent mortality.
This association was more pronounced than that observed with standard forced expiration tests.
Adjustments for age and smoking did not diminish the predictive power of slope of phase III.

Conclusions:

Abnormalities in lung function, specifically indicated by the slope of phase III, are significant predictors of overall mortality.
The findings suggest two potential mechanisms: either the lungs play a protective role for other body systems, or poor lung function reflects underlying systemic diseases.
Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise relationship between pulmonary function and non-pulmonary causes of death.

Related Experiment Videos