PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Marion Heiß-Neumann
AU  - Dorothe Burggraf
AU  - Matthias Wjst
AU  - Loems Ziegler-Heitbrock
AU  - EvA Consortium
TI  - Airway resistance in COPD
DP  - 2012 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P876
VI  - 40
IP  - Suppl 56
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P876.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P876.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40
AB  - Chronic obstructive lung disease is characterized by airflow limitation, usually assessed by forced expiratory maneuvers (FEV1 and FVC). These maneuvers reflect a complex, dynamic relationship between patient effort, muscle strength, elastic recoil as well as airway resistance, which plays a dominant role in airflow limitation.Within the Emphysema versus Airway Disease study (EvA) we examine postbronchodilator values for total resistance, in- and expiratory resistance (Rin, Rex) and specific resistance (sR) in COPD patients (n= 509; GOLD stage I-III, no current smoking).Mean postbronchodilator values for total airway resistance are higher in patients compared to controls (0.35 vs 0.19 kPa*sec/L).Looking at Rin versus Rex, the increase in patients is mainly due to a higher Rex (mean 0.50 versus 0.22 kPa*sec/L) compared to Rin (0.25 vs 0.15 kPa*sec/L).Specific resistance, which is adjusted for volume to avoid errors because of hyperinflation, is elevated as well (1.64 vs 0.71 kPa*sec). All reported differences in mean values are highly significant with p < 1*E-15.Mean values for Rex and sR are remarkably elevated in COPD and show a good association with GOLD stages, so they may be preferred for monitoring of COPD since they are obtained with tidal breathing.Supported by EU FP7 project # 200605.