[Changes in some ventilation and respiration parameters in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease in...

The changes of several parameters of ventilation and respiration in 104 men taken into prospective longitudinal observation were analysed. All men in average 53.3 years old at the time of first examination were suffering from chronic obstructive lung diseases. The time between last and first examination amounted to 52 months in average. During this period the functional state did not change in one third of all patients; in the other two thirds the condition has impaired and 19 (18.3%) among 104 had died. The functional parameters evaluated showed a statistically significant decrease of FEV1 (71 ml in average every year) and of pulmonary diffusion capacity for CO by the steady state and single breath methods whereas the changes of airway resistance being insignificant in these cases. The results give rise to the statement that progression of the disease would occur in the area of peripheral airways and alveoli.