Abstract
BackgroundBilirubin has been reported to be associated with respiratory diseases due to its antioxidant action. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum bilirubin concentration and annual lung function decline in the Korean general population.MethodsThe study included 7986 subjects aged 40–69 years from the Ansung-Ansan cohort database I (2001–2002)–III (2005–2006). We analyzed the relationships between serum bilirubin level and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and mean forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25–75%) at baseline, as well as the annual average changes in these lung parameters.ResultsThe FEV1, FVC, and FEF25–75% were significantly associated with serum bilirubin levels after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status (all P < 0.001). When stratified according to smoking status, these relationships were significant in never-smokers. Additionally, serum bilirubin level was negatively associated with the annual decline in FEV1 and FVC, and positively associated with the annual decline in FEV1/FVC after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, baseline lung function, and smoking status (all P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe found significant associations of serum bilirubin levels with FEV1, FVC, and FEF25–75% in the general population, especially in never-smokers. Moreover, serum bilirubin levels were related with the annual decline in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio.
Highlights
Bilirubin has been reported to be associated with respiratory diseases due to its antioxidant action
We aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum bilirubin concentration and annual lung function decline in the Korean general population
Age was negatively related to serum bilirubin concentration (P < 0.001)
Summary
Bilirubin has been reported to be associated with respiratory diseases due to its antioxidant action. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum bilirubin concentration and annual lung function decline in the Korean general population. Few previous studies have reported the relationship between serum bilirubin level and lung function parameters [7, 8]. In the study by Apperley et al, serum bilirubin was positively related to FEV1 and negatively related to the annual decline in FEV1 in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with mild to moderate airflow limitation [8]. The relationships between bilirubin levels and decline in lung function parameters in the healthy general population have not been reported
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