title: Emphysema in asymptomatic smokers: quantitative CT evaluation in correlation with pulmonary function tests.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide quantitative information on emphysema in asymptomatic smokers in correlation with pulmonary function tests (PFT).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included 75 smokers (current smokers: n=39; ex-smokers: n=36) and 25 nonsmokers who underwent volumetric high-resolution CT of the chest with automated quantification of emphysema and PFTs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Current smokers had a higher percentage of emphysema in the right lung (P=0.041) and right upper lobe (P=0.037). The overall percentage of emphysema did not differ according to the Gold stage (P=0.77). Smokers with emphysema had significantly higher mean values of FRC (P=0.012), RV (<0.0001) and TLC (P=0.0157) than smokers without emphysema but no significant differences were found in neither the mean values of TLCO nor in expiratory flows (P>0.05). Correlations were found between the percentage of emphysema and (a) cigarette consumption of current (r=0.34215; P=0.0330) and ex-smokers (r=0.44104; P=0.0071); and (b) alterations of TLC, FRC, RV and DLCO of smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantitative CT allows recognition of regional specificities and subclinical functional alterations in smokers with emphysema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Imaging, Hospital Calmette, EA 2694, boulevard Jules-Leclercq, 59037 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasunaga
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chérot-Kornobis
authors.forename: J-L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Edmé
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sobaszek
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boulenguez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duhamel
authors.forename: J-B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Faivre
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Remy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Remy-Jardin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity / Q000502:physiology*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013223:Statistics as Topic