HRs (95% CI) for COPD risk during a median follow-up period of 4.4 years according to CT findings
| CT finding | Crude HR (95% CI) | Multivariable* adjusted HR (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Emphysema (range sum score 0–20) | ||
| Absent (sum score 0) | Reference | Reference |
| Mild (sum score 1–3) | 1.2 (0.8 to 1.7)† | 1.3 (0.9 to 2.0)† |
| Moderate (sum score 4–6) | 1.7 (1.1 to 2.9) | 1.8 (1.1 to 3.1) |
| Severe (sum score ≥7) | 4.5 (3.1 to 6.6) | 4.6 (3.0 to 7.1) |
| Continuous‡ | 1.7 (1.4 to 1.9) | 1.7 (1.4 to 1.9) |
| Airway thickening (range sum score 0–5) | ||
| Absent (sum score 0) | Reference | Reference |
| Mild (sum score 1) | 2.1 (1.4 to 3.1) | 1.6 (1.0 to 2.4) |
| Moderate (sum score 2) | 3.5 (2.3 to 5.3) | 2.7 (1.7 to 4.3) |
| Severe (sum score ≥3) | 4.9 (2.9 to 8.0) | 5.9 (3.4 to 10.5) |
| Continuous‡ | 1.7 (1.5 to 2.0) | 1.8 (1.5 to 2.1) |
| Bronchiectasis (range sum score 0–5) | ||
| Absent (sum score 0) | Reference | Reference |
| Mild (sum score 1) | 1.3 (0.9 to 1.9)† | 1.2 (0.8 to 1.9)† |
| Moderate (sum score 2) | 1.9 (1.1 to 3.2) | 1.8 (1.0 to 3.2) |
| Severe (sum score ≥3) | 1.7 (1.0 to 2.8) | 1.5 (0.9 to 2.5)† |
| Continuous‡ | 1.2 (1.1 to 1.4) | 1.2 (1.0 to 1.4) |
*Multivariable adjusted means adjustment for age, gender, CT indication and referral centre.
†p Value >0.05, indicating no statistical difference between the subcohort and COPD cases.
‡HRs for continuous emphysema, airway thickening and bronchiectasis sum score are calculated for each point of increase in total score.