J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Jan;38(1):e3. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e3.

Risk of Rapid Lung Function Decline in Young Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study

• Kim SH
• Lee H
• Joo H
• Choi H
• Sim YS
• Rhee CK
• Park YB
• Kim Y
• Yoo KH

• KMID: 2537445
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e3

Abstract

It is unclear whether young adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at an increased risk of rapid lung function decline. A total of 2,934 Korean adults aged 40–49 years who had consecutive lung function measurements were included. COPD was defined as pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV ₁ )/forced vital capacity < lower limit of normal. The risk of rapid decline in FEV ₁ , defined as ≥ 60 mL/year, was assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. In the multivariable model, a significantly higher risk of rapid decline in FEV ₁ was observed for the COPD group compared with the non-COPD group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–2.95), which was especially significant in subjects with FEV ₁ less than the median value (< 110%pred) (P _interaction = 0.017) and inactive physical activity (P _interaction = 0.039). In conclusion, the risk of rapid FEV ₁ decline was higher in young adults with COPD than in those without COPD, especially in those with FEV ₁ less than the median value and inactive physical activity.

Keyword

Lung Diseases; Obstructive; Pulmonary Disease; Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Function Tests; Spirometry; Young Adult; Preventive Health Services

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The risk of rapid function decline in FEV1 according to physical activity and baseline FEV1%pred. (A) Incidence of rapid decline in FEV1 between non-COPD and COPD groups. (B) Interaction plot of physical activity and baseline FEV1%pred for the risk of rapid lung function decline in FEV1.FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in 1 second, COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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