Change in pulmonary diffusion capacity in a general population sample over 9 years

Abstract

RationaleData on the change in diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) over time are limited. We aimed to examine change in DLCO (ΔDLCO) over a 9-year period and its predictors.MethodsA Norwegian community sample comprising 1,152 subjects aged 18–73 years was examined in 1987 and 1988. Of the 1,109 subjects still alive, 830 (75%) were re-examined in 1996/97. DLCO was measured with the single breath-holding technique. Covariables recorded at baseline included sex, age, height, weight, smoking status, pack years, occupational exposure, educational level, and spirometry. Generalized estimating equations analyses were performed to examine relations between ΔDLCO and the covariables.ResultsAt baseline, mean [standard deviation (SD)] DLCO was 10.8 (2.4) and 7.8 (1.6) mmol·min−1·kPa−1 in men and women, respectively. Mean (SD) ΔDLCO was −0.24 (1.31) mmol·min−1·kPa−1. ΔDLCO was negatively related to baseline age, DLCO, current smoking, and pack years, and positively related to forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and weight. Sex, occupational exposure, and educational level were not related to ΔDLCO.ConclusionsIn a community sample, more rapid decline in DLCO during 9 years of observation time was related to higher age, baseline current smoking, more pack years, larger weight, and lower FEV1.

Respiratory and Psychophysical Sequelae Among Patients With COVID-19 Four Months After Hospital Discharge

“…The primary end point was the proportion of patients with a D lco less than 80% of expected. The study was sufficiently powered to detect as statistically significant a 0.12 increase in the proportion of patients with D lco less than 80% of expected among survivors of COVID-19 compared with that observed in a reference population 21 (0.30 vs 0.18, respectively), with an α = .005. Secondary end points were prevalence of a more severe respiratory impairment (defined as D lco <60% of expected), potentially associated with a higher risk of pulmonary fibrosis; factors associated with a D lco less than 80% or less than 60% of expected; prevalence and factors associated with functional impairment (defined as SBBP score <11 or SBBP score ≥11 in presence of a 2-minute walk test score outside of age- and sex-matched reference range); and prevalence and factors associated with moderate to severe PTS symptoms.…”

COPD Diagnosis: Time for Disruption

“…In a Norwegian community sample of 1152 subjects, followed over 9 years, a more rapid decline in DLCO was related to higher age, baseline current smoking, more pack years, larger weight and lower FEV1. These reported findings suggest that a direct assessment at the level of parenchymal surrogates is probably more appropriate for the detection of lung parenchymal abnor-malities [62]. Furthermore, it has to be acknowledged that the heterogeneous respiratory impairment in COPD needs a larger armentarium of "lung function tests" [63].…”

COPD Diagnosis: Time for Disruption

“…In a Norwegian community sample of 1152 subjects, followed over 9 years, a more rapid decline in DLCO was related to higher age, baseline current smoking, more pack years, larger weight and lower FEV1. These reported findings suggest that a direct assessment at the level of parenchymal surrogates is probably more appropriate for the detection of lung parenchymal abnormalities [62]. Furthermore, it has to be acknowledged that the heterogeneous respiratory impairment in COPD needs a larger armentarium of "lung function tests" [63].…”