American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · May 2024
Structural Predictors of Lung Function Decline in Young Smokers with Normal Spirometry.
Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to tobacco smoking commonly presents when extensive lung damage has occurred. Objectives: We hypothesized that structural change would be detected early in the natural history of COPD and would relate to loss of lung function with time. Methods: We recruited 431 current smokers (median age, 39 yr; 16 pack-years smoked) and recorded symptoms using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), spirometry, and quantitative thoracic computed tomography (QCT) scans at study entry. ⋯ Conclusions: Radiological abnormalities on CT are already established in young smokers with normal lung function and are associated with FEV1 loss independently of the impact of symptoms. Structural abnormalities are present early in the natural history of COPD and are markers of disease progression. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03480347).
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · May 2024
Editorial Comment Case ReportsFEV1: More than a Measurement of Lung Function, A Biomarker of Health.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · May 2024
Editorial CommentBEACON: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle for COPD.