Open AccessExpiratory and inspiratory chest computed tomography and pulmonary function tests in cigarette smokers
Author(s) -
Kubo K.,
Eda S,
Yamamoto H,
Fujimoto K,
Matsuzawa Y,
Murayama Y,
Hasegawa M,
Sone S,
Sakai F
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
european respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.021
H-Index - 241
eISSN - 1399-3003
pISSN - 0903-1936
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-3003.1999.13b06.x
Subject(s) - medicine , expiration , pulmonary function testing , high resolution computed tomography , lung volumes , air trapping , functional residual capacity , airway , computed tomography , cardiology , diffusing capacity , exhalation , cigarette smoking , lung , nuclear medicine , lung function , respiratory system , radiology , anesthesia
This study evaluated small airway dysfunction and emphysematous destruction of lung parenchyma in cigarette smokers, using chest expiratory high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFT). The degree of emphysematous destruction was classified by visual scoring (VS) and the average HRCT number at full expiration/full inspiration (E/I ratio) calculated in 63 male smokers and 10 male nonsmokers (group A). The Brinkman smoking index (BI), defined as cigarettes·day ‐1 × yrs, was estimated. Sixty‐three smokers were divided into three groups by PFT: group B1 (n=7), with normal PFT; group B2 (n=21), with diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide ( D L,CO) ≥80% predicted, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) <80% pred and/or residual volume (RV) >120% pred; and group B3 (n=35), with D L,CO <80% pred, FEV1 <80% pred and/or RV >120% pred. Heavy smokers (BI ≥600) (n=48) showed a significant increase in emphysema by both VS and E/I. E/I was significantly elevated in both group B2 (mean± sd 0.95±0.05) and B3 (0.96±0.06) compared with group B1 (0.89±0.03). VS could not differentiate group B2 (3.9±5.0) from B1 (1.1±1.6). These findings suggest that the expiration/inspiration ratio reflects hyperinflation and airway obstruction, regardless of the functional characteristics of emphysema, in cigarette smokers.