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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
10:37
Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice
Published on: January 16, 2015
Association Between Chronic PM2.5 Exposure and CT-Detected Lung Abnormalities in the SPIROMICS Cohort
Christopher B Bosma1, Lantian Xu2, Susan Murray2
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
Annals of the American Thoracic Society
|June 1, 2026
Summary
Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to emphysema and small airway disease in individuals with a smoking history but no airflow obstruction. This exposure also correlated with increased symptom scores in younger women.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5), exacerbates Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) beyond tobacco's effects.
- Limited research exists on PM2.5's impact on COPD development and computed tomography (CT)-detected lung abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and CT-measured lung disease.
- To evaluate PM2.5's impact on emphysema, small airway disease, and large airway disease.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the SPIROMICS cohort (40-80 years, >=20 pack-years).
- Estimated 10-year mean outdoor PM2.5 concentrations using a spatiotemporal model.
- Quantified emphysema and functional small airway disease via baseline CT scans; analyzed associations using mixed-effect regression models, stratified by airflow obstruction severity.
Main Results:
- In GOLD 0 participants (no airflow obstruction), 10-year PM2.5 exposure correlated with increased emphysema and functional small airway disease, and reduced FEV1.
- An interaction analysis indicated PM2.5 exposure was associated with higher symptom scores in women under 65 within the GOLD 0 and control groups.
- No significant associations were observed in participants already diagnosed with COPD.
Conclusions:
- PM2.5 exposure is associated with CT-evident emphysema and small airway disease, and lower FEV1 in individuals with smoking history but no airflow obstruction.
- PM2.5 exposure also correlated with increased symptom scores in younger women.
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