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Original article
Influence of age and disease severity on high resolution CT lung densitometry in asthma
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  1. F Mitsunobu,
  2. T Mifune,
  3. K Ashida,
  4. Y Hosaki,
  5. H Tsugeno,
  6. M Okamoto,
  7. S Harada,
  8. S Takata,
  9. Y Tanizaki
  1. Department of Medicine, Misasa Medical Branch, Okayama University Medical School, 827 Yamada, Misasa, Tottori 682-0192, Japan
  1. Dr F Mitsunobufumin{at}cc.okayama-u.ac.jp

Abstract

BACKGROUND Low attenuation areas (LAA) on computed tomographic (CT) scans have been shown to represent emphysematous changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the significance of LAA is still controversial in patients with asthma. This study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of lung CT densitometry in the detection of airspace enlargement in association with asthma severity.

METHODS Forty five asthmatic subjects and 15 non-smoking controls were studied to determine the influence of age, pulmonary function, and asthma severity on mean lung density (MLD) and the relative area of the lung showing attenuation values less than –950 HU (RA950) on high resolution CT (HRCT) scans.

RESULTS In asthmatic patients both MLD and RA950 correlated with parameters of airflow limitation (%FEV1, FEV1/FVC, %FEF25–75) and lung volume (%TLC, %FRC, %RV), but not with lung transfer factor (%Tlco, %Tlco/VA). The results of HRCT lung densitometry also correlated with patient age and severity of asthma.

CONCLUSIONS Decreased CT lung density in non-smoking asthmatics is related to airflow limitation, hyperinflation and aging, but not with lung transfer factor.

  • high resolution computed tomography
  • asthma severity
  • lung function
  • age

https://doi.org/10.1136/thorax.56.11.851

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    • Correction
      Correction
      BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
      Thorax 2002; 57 188-188 Published Online First: 01 Feb 2002. doi: 10.1136/thorax.57.2.188-a