Abstract
PurposeTo determine whether visually assessed patterns of emphysema at CT might provide a simple assessment of mortality risk among cigarette smokers.Materials and MethodsOf the first 4000 cigarette smokers consecutively enrolled between 2007 and 2011 in this COPDGene study, 3171 had data available for both visual emphysema CT scores and survival. Each CT scan was retrospectively visually scored by two analysts using the Fleischner Society classification system. Severity of emphysema was also evaluated quantitatively by using percentage lung volume occupied by low-attenuation areas (voxels with attenuation of −950 HU or less) (LAA-950). Median duration of follow-up was 7.4 years. Regression analysis for the relationship between imaging patterns and survival was based on the Cox proportional hazards model, with adjustment for age, race, sex, height, weight, pack-years of cigarette smoking, current smoking status, educational level, LAA-950, and (in a second model) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).ResultsObserver agreement in visual scoring was good (weighted κ values, 0.71–0.80). There were 519 deaths in the study cohort. Compared with subjects who did not have visible emphysema, mortality was greater in those with any grade of emphysema beyond trace (adjusted hazard ratios, 1.7, 2.5, 5.0, and 4.1, respectively, for mild centrilobular emphysema, moderate centrilobular emphysema, confluent emphysema, and advanced destructive emphysema, P < .001). This increased mortality generally persisted after adjusting for LAA-950.ConclusionThe visual presence and severity of emphysema is associated with significantly increased mortality risk, independent of the quantitative severity of emphysema.Online supplemental material is available for this article.
Highlights
OPDGene is a prospective and multicenter investigation focused on the genetic epidemiology of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (ClinicalTrials. gov: NCT00608764) [18]
The visual presence and severity of emphysema is associated with significantly increased mortality risk, independent of the quantitative severity of emphysema
Factors known to be associated with increased mortality from COPD include severity of airflow obstruction, body mass index, dyspnea, exercise capacity, and quantitative severity of emphysema [2,3,4]
Summary
OPDGene is a prospective and multicenter investigation focused on the genetic epidemiology of COPD (ClinicalTrials. gov: NCT00608764) [18]. OPDGene is a prospective and multicenter investigation focused on the genetic epidemiology of COPD Between 2008 and 2011, 10 192 cigarette smokers were enrolled in our Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant study at 21 centers in the United States. Institutional review board approval of the research protocol was obtained at all clinical centers, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants
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