Abstract
Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined by progressive, irreversible airflow limitation and an inflammatory response of the lungs, usually to cigarettesmoke. However, COPD is a heterogenous disease in terms of clinical, physiological, and pathological presentation. The pathological hallmarks of COPD are inflammation of the small airways (bronchiolitis) and destruction of lung parenchyma (emphysema). The functional consequence of these abnormalities is airflow limitation.
Aim of work
The aim of the study was to measure diffusion capacity in different stages of COPD.
Patients and methods
Sixty outpatients with COPD with mild to very severe obstruction were included in the study.
Results
There was a statistically significant negative (inverse) correlation between TLCO%, TLCO/VA, PCO2, and HCO3 and there was a statistically significant positive (direct) correlation between TLCO%, TLCO/VA, PO2, and arterial oxygen saturation. There was a statistically significant positive (direct) correlation between FVC%, FEV1%, FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75%, TLCO%, and TLCO/VA.
Conclusion
Reduced diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide plus airflow obstruction together identifies a group of individuals with significantly worse lung function.
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El-Sorougi, W.M., Fathy, M.M. Single-breath diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Egypt J Bronchol 11, 23–28 (2017). https://doi.org/10.4103/1687-8426.199002
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1687-8426.199002