Patterns of lung disease in a "normal" smoking population: are emphysema and airflow obstruction found together?

Study Objectives: We determined whether emphysema demonstrated on high-resolution CT (HRCT) scanning in apparently well smokers is associated with airflow obstruction.

Interventions: Lung function testing and limited HRCT scanning.

Design: Lung function measurements and scans were analyzed independently of each other.

Endogenous cortisol and lung damage in a predominantly smoking population.

We examined the association of endogenous corticosteroid status with lung structure and function in a cross-sectional and longitudinal study in response to a recent finding of a relationship between plasma cortisol and rate of annual decline in airway function. We recruited 74 cigarette-smoking and 20 never-smoking volunteers 35 to 65 yr of age after publicity in local media. Exclusion criteria were FEV1 < 1.

Cigarette smoke inhalation and lung damage in smoking volunteers.

Cigarette smoking is the dominant risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but only 10-15% of smokers develop the condition. Risk does not relate closely to cumulative cigarette consumption, perhaps because smokers vary in the degree and depth of smoke inhalation. This study examined the role of smoke inhalation in the development of COPD.