Supernormal lung function and risk of COPD: A contemporary population-based cohort study
Yunus Çolak, Børge G. Nordestgaard, Peter Lange, Jørgen Vestbo, Shoaib Afzal
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Investigation of the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has led to the recognition that individuals with higher than normal lung function may have lower risk of developing COPD. We tested the hypothesis that individuals with supernormal lung function have lower risk of COPD. METHODS: >upper limit of normal (ULN). FINDINGS: /FVC decline. None had COPD at 10 years in those with supernormal lung function, while 3% had in those with normal lung function. Early-life risk factors associated with COPD development and smoking exposure in different stages of life were less common in individuals with supernormal lung function. Compared to individuals with normal lung function, multivariable adjusted hazard ratios in those with supernormal lung function were 0·19(95% confidence interval:0·08-0·46) for acute obstructive lung disease hospitalisations, 0·56(0·45-0·69) for pneumonia hospitalisations, and 0·81(0·72-0·91) for all-cause mortality. INTERPRETATION: Supernormal lung function is associated with lower risk of developing COPD. FUNDING: Herlev and Gentofte Hospital and Lundbeck Foundation.