Exacerbations and lung function decline in COPD: New insights in current and ex-smokers
Makris D., Moschandreas J., Damianaki A., Ntaoukakis E., Siafakas NM., Milic Emili J., Tzanakis N.
Aim: To investigate whether there is a significant relationship between an increased frequency of exacerbations and the rate of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decline in COPD patients. Methods-measurements: About 102 COPD patients (44 smokers, 58 ex-smokers) participated in a 3-year prospective study. Exacerbations were identified as worsening of patient's respiratory symptoms as recorded on diary cards. Spirometry was performed every 6 months. The effect of frequent exacerbations on lung function was investigated using random effects models. Results: The median (mean(95% CI)) annual exacerbation rate was 2.85 (3.1 (2.7-3.6)). Patients with an annual exacerbation rate over the median rate had significantly lower baseline post-bronchodilation FEV1(%pred), higher MRC dyspnoea score and chronic cough compared to patients who had an annual exacerbation rate less than the median. The average annual rate of FEV1(%pred), adjusted for smoking decline (ΔFEV1), was found significantly increased in frequent compared to infrequent exacerbators (P = 0.017). The highest ΔFEV1 was observed in smokers frequent exacerbators and a significant interaction between exacerbation frequency and ΔFEV1 was also observed in ex-smokers. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that an increased frequency of exacerbations is significantly associated with FEV1 decline even in ex-smokers. Thus, smoking and frequent exacerbations may have both negative impact on lung function. Smoking cessation and prevention of exacerbations should be a major target in COPD. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.