Abstract
Background: Spirometry is recommended in symptomatic smokers to identify obstructive lung diseases. However, it is unknown whether there are certain characteristics, which can be used to identify the individual risk of developing obstructive lung diseases.
Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between lung function in early adulthood and burden of lung diseases throughout 27 years of follow-up.
Method: We performed a cohort study among individuals aged 30-49 years at baseline (1991). Spirometry measurements were divided into three groups: 1: FEV1/FVC< 70, 2: FEV1/FVC: 70 - 75, 3: FEV1/FVC >75 (reference). Using negative binominal regression, the burden of lung disease was measured by contacts to general practice, hospitalisations, redeemed respiratory medicine and socioeconomic parameters between 1991 and 2017.
Results: A total of 905 citizens were included; mean age of 40.3 years, 47.5% were males and 51.2% were smokers at baseline. The group with a FEV1/FVC: 70 - 75 received more respiratory medicine IRR=3.37 (95% CI: 2.69 – 4.23) had a lower income IRR=0.94 (95% CI: 0.92 – 0.97) and had more contacts to their general practitioner IRR=1.14 (95% CI: 1.07 - 1.21) and hospitalisations for lung diseases IRR=2.39 (95% CI: 1.96 - 5.85) during follow up compared to the reference group.
Conclusion: We found an association between lung function in early adulthood and the burden of lung diseases throughout a 27-year follow-up period. In particular, adults with a FEV1/FVC: 70 – 75 need extra attention regarding case finding.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 4011.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020