Relationships between respiratory symptoms and FEV1 in men and women with normal lung function: The Korean health and genome study

Chol Shin, Sungim Lee, Robert D. Abbott, Hyeong Kim Je, Yeub Lee Sang, Ho In Kwang, Ku Chan Kimm

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    10 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Although the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its relationship with respiratory symptoms are well documented, few studies have focused on individuals with normal lung function, particularly in developed regions of Asia. The purpose of this report is to examine the relationship between respiratory symptoms and FEV1 in a population-based sample of Korean men and women with normal lung function. Subjects comprised 7518 individuals aged 40-69 years without airflow obstruction based on spirometric testing and in the absence of a medical history of pulmonary disease. Respiratory symptoms included chronic cough, chronic phlegm, wheezing, and shortness of breath. In men, the age-adjusted mean FEV1 was lower by 165 ml in smokers and 133 ml in nonsmokers in the presence versus the absence of wheezing (p < 0.05). While walking at a usual pace, FEV1 in smoking men was 210 ml lower in the presence versus the absence of shortness of breath (p < 0.05). Among nonsmoking men, overall shortness of breath and shortness of breath while walking uphill were associated with a lower FEV 1 by 56 and 80 ml, respectively) versus those who reported having no shortness of breath (p < 0.05). Respiratory symptoms were unrelated to FEV1 in women smokers, although only 3.5% smoked cigarettes. In nonsmoking women, FEV1 was lower by an average of 89 ml in the presence versus the absence of wheezing (p < 0.001). Nonsmoking women also had a lower FEV1 in the presence of shortness of breath (overall, while at rest, and while walking uphill or at a usual pace, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that respiratory symptoms are associated with a lower FEV 1 in men and nonsmoking women with normal lung function. Whether respiratory symptoms can be used to identify individuals at risk for developing COPD needs further study.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)301-309
    Number of pages9
    JournalLung
    Volume183
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2005 Oct

    Keywords

    • COPD
    • Epidemiology
    • FEV1
    • Korea
    • Respiratory symptoms

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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