American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Sep 2017
Multicenter StudyCT Measure of Lung At-risk and Lung Function Decline in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
The rate of decline of lung function is greater than age-related change in a substantial proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, even after smoking cessation. Regions of the lung adjacent to emphysematous areas are subject to abnormal stretch during respiration, and this biomechanical stress likely influences emphysema initiation and progression. ⋯ Areas of normal-appearing lung are mechanically influenced by emphysematous areas and this lung at risk is associated with lung function decline. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00608764).