Diffusing capacity and alveolar attachments to small airways in smokers with and without COPD

Yusuke Shiraishi1, Naoya Tanabe1, Atsuyasu Sato1

  • 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

ERJ Open Research
|June 10, 2025
PubMed
Summary

The number of small airway attachments in smokers relates to lung function (diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, or DLCO). Early smoking damage impairs DLCO, even without COPD.

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