European screening for alpha -antitrypsin deficiency in subjects with lung disease.

Background And Aims: Alpha -antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) predisposes individuals to early-onset emphysema. Despite its prevalence, especially among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, AATD is still underdiagnosed. The aim of this study is to identify individuals with lung disease and severe AATD in central-eastern Europe.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and spontaneous pneumothorax: possible causal relationship.

Background: An increased incidence of serum alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency has been reported in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but has not been well proven in association with spontaneous pneumothorax. The aim of our study was to evaluate frequency of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in subjects with spontaneous pneumothorax.

Methods: 39 patients with the diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax and 100 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in the study.