PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - B. W. M. Willemse
AU  - N. H. T. ten Hacken
AU  - B. Rutgers
AU  - I. G. A. T. Lesman-Leegte
AU  - D. S. Postma
AU  - W. Timens
TI  - Effect of 1-year smoking cessation on airway inflammation in COPD and asymptomatic smokers
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.05.00108904
DP  - 2005 Nov 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 835--845
VI  - 26
IP  - 5
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/26/5/835.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/26/5/835.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2005 Nov 01; 26
AB  - Smoking cessation is the only treatment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) effective in slowing down disease progression. Its effect on airway inflammation in COPD is unknown, although cross-sectional studies suggest ongoing inflammation in ex-smokers. In order to elucidate the effect of smoking cessation on airway inflammation, 28 smokers with COPD (mean age: 55 yrs; forced expiratory volume in one second: 71% predicted) and 25 asymptomatic smokers with normal lung function (aged 50 yrs) were included in a 1-yr smoking cessation programme. Effects of smoking cessation on airway inflammation were investigated in bronchial biopsies (baseline, 12 months) and sputum samples (baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months). In the 12 candidates with COPD who successfully ceased smoking, airway inflammation persisted in bronchial biopsies, while the number of sputum neutrophils, lymphocytes, interleukin (IL)-8 and eosinophilic-cationic-protein levels significantly increased at 12 months. In the 16 asymptomatic smokers who successfully quitted, inflammation significantly reduced (i.e. number of sputum macrophages, percentage of eosinophils and IL-8 levels) or did not change. The current authors suggest that the observed persistent airway inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is related to repair of tissue damage in the airways. It remains to be elucidated whether this reflects a beneficial or detrimental effect.