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Research letter
Progressive static pulmonary hyperinflation in survivors of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia by mid-adulthood
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  1. Daniel Trachsel1,
  2. Martin H Brutsche2,
  3. Henriette Hug-Batschelet1,
  4. Jürg Hammer1
  1. 1Division of Paediatric Intensive Care and Pulmonology, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  2. 2Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Canton Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland
  1. Correspondence to Dr Daniel Trachsel, Division of Paediatric Intensive Care and Pulmonology, University Children's Hospital Basel, Postal Box CH-4005, Basel, Switzerland; daniel.trachsel{at}ukbb.ch

Abstract

Background Severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) might be associated with an accelerated age–related decline of lung function.

Methods 14 individuals were studied longitudinally at 15±4, 18±3 and 38±3.2 years. Information on personal history was completed, and lung function testing and skin prick testing were performed. Longitudinal data were compared intra-individually and with matched controls from the NHANES III dataset.

Results The ratio of residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/TLC) increased markedly from 25.9±7.0% to 39.3±6.8%. A significant time-effect was found compared to controls for the forced vital capacity (FVC) which decreased more rapidly than expected. Flow values were at the lower limit of normal range but remained relatively stable over time. Some individuals had completely normal lung function results.

Conclusion Increasing static pulmonary hyperinflation with age is indicative of bronchiolar dysfunction or early emphysematous changes in survivors of severe BPD. Susceptibility for long-term sequelae shows significant variability.

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • chronic lung disease
  • outcome
  • emphysema
  • prematurity
  • lung physiology
  • systemic disease and lungs
  • respiratory measurement
  • clinical epidemiology
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease epidemiology

https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-200695

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    Footnotes

    • Funding The study was supported by a grant of AstraZeneca, Switzerland.

    • Competing interests None.

    • Ethics approval This study was conducted with the approval of the Ethics Committee of Basel (ref. no. 338/07).

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.