Phenotypes and Trajectories of Tobacco-exposed Persons with Preserved Spirometry: Insights from Lung Volumes.

Among tobacco-exposed persons with preserved spirometry (TEPS), we previously demonstrated that different lung volume indices, specifically elevated total lung capacity (TLC) versus elevated ratio of functional residual capacity-to-TLC (FRC/TLC), identify different lung disease characteristics in the COPDGene cohort. Determine differential disease characteristics and trajectories associated with the lung volume indices among TEPS in the SPIROMICS cohort. We categorized TEPS (n=814) by tertiles (low, intermediate, high) of TLC or residual volume-to-TLC (RV/TLC) derived from baseline CT images, and then examined clinical and spirometric disease trajectories in mutually exclusive categories of participants with high TLC without high RV/TLC ([TLC]) versus high RV/TLC without high TLC ([RV/TLC]).

Vessel and Airway Characteristics in One-Year Computed Tomography-defined Rapid Emphysema Progression: SPIROMICS.

Rates of emphysema progression vary in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the relationships with vascular and airway pathophysiology remain unclear. We sought to determine if indices of peripheral (segmental and beyond) pulmonary arterial dilation measured on computed tomography (CT) are associated with a 1-year index of emphysema (EI; percentage of voxels <-950 Hounsfield units) progression. Five hundred ninety-nine former and never-smokers (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stages 0-3) were evaluated from the SPIROMICS (Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study) cohort: rapid emphysema progressors (RPs;  = 188, 1-year ΔEI > 1%), nonprogressors ( = 301, 1-year ΔEI ± 0.

High prevalence of hepatitis B virus susceptibility among persons undergoing community-based hepatitis C virus treatment.

Background: Due to shared modes of transmission, coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common, and HBV vaccination is recommended for all persons with HCV who remain susceptible to HBV. To identify potential gaps in HBV vaccination among this high-risk population, we aimed to determine the patterns of HBV susceptibility in persons undergoing community-based HCV treatment.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study within two community-based HCV treatment programs in an urban US setting.

Lung Structure and Risk of Sleep Apnea in SPIROMICS.

Rationale: The SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study (SPIROMICS) is a prospective cohort study that enrolled 2981 participants with the goal of identifying new chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subgroups and intermediate markers of disease progression. Individuals with COPD and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experience impaired quality of life and more frequent exacerbations. COPD severity also associates with computed tomography scan-based emphysema and alterations in airway dimensions.

A pilot study to understand and respond to loss, theft, and misplacement of hepatitis C treatment medication for people who inject drugs.

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