Change in pulmonary diffusion capacity in a general population sample over 9 years

Abstract

Rationale

Data on the change in diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL_CO) over time are limited. We aimed to examine change in DL_CO (ΔDL_CO) over a 9-year period and its predictors.

Methods

A Norwegian community sample comprising 1,152 subjects aged 18–73 years was examined in 1987 and 1988. Of the 1,109 subjects still alive, 830 (75%) were re-examined in 1996/97. DL_CO was measured with the single breath-holding technique. Covariables recorded at baseline included sex, age, height, weight, smoking status, pack years, occupational exposure, educational level, and spirometry. Generalized estimating equations analyses were performed to examine relations between ΔDL_CO and the covariables.

Results

At baseline, mean [standard deviation (SD)] DL_CO was 10.8 (2.4) and 7.8 (1.6) mmol·min⁻¹·kPa⁻¹ in men and women, respectively. Mean (SD) ΔDL_CO was −0.24 (1.31) mmol·min⁻¹·kPa⁻¹. ΔDL_CO was negatively related to baseline age, DL_CO, current smoking, and pack years, and positively related to forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and weight. Sex, occupational exposure, and educational level were not related to ΔDL_CO.

Conclusions

In a community sample, more rapid decline in DL_CO during 9 years of observation time was related to higher age, baseline current smoking, more pack years, larger weight, and lower FEV₁.

• diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide
• longitudinal change
• occupational exposure
• socioeconomic status
• smoking

To access the supplementary material for this article, please see Supplementary files under ‘Article Tools’.

To access the supplementary material for this article, please see Supplementary files under ‘Article Tools’.

Notes

To access the supplementary material for this article, please see Supplementary files under ‘Article Tools’.