RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Indications of small airways disease in healthy smokers
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P3448
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Eef Telenga
A1 Laurien Keulers
A1 Nick ten Hacken
A1 Dirkje Postma
A1 Maarten van den Berge
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3448.abstract
AB It has been well established that small airways disease is a risk factor for COPD development. Cigarette smoking is the main risk factor for COPD development. We investigated whether smokers, without COPD and an FEV1 >80 %pred, have indications of small airways involvement.Healthy smokers and non-smokers (asymptomatic, FEV1 >80 %pred, FEV1/FVC >70%) were included. We performed spirometry, body plethysmography, and impulse oscillometry (IOS) in all subjects. Smokers were compared to non-smokers using Student's t- or Mann Whitney U test.56 non-smokers (28 ≤40 years and 28 >40 years old) and 54 smokers (26 ≤40 years and 28 >40 years old) were included. Large airways parameters were comparable between smokers and non-smokers. In contrast, small airways parameters differed between smokers and non-smokers. Smokers had a lower FEF25-75 %pred than non-smokers. Furthermore, smokers had a higher R5-20 (difference between the resistance at 5Hz and 20Hz), a higher reactance area (AX) and a higher resonance frequency (Rf) than non-smokers. In addition, smokers ≤40 years had a higher R5-20, AX and Rf than non-smokers. No differences in RV or RV/TLC were found between smokers and non-smokers.We demonstrate changes in small airways parameters in smokers with normal lung function. These changes are already present in smokers ≤40 years old. Whether this small airways disease in young smokers is a first step in COPD development, remains to be elucidated in further studies.