Clinical Focus ›› 2024, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (7): 625-629.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-583X.2024.07.007

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Changes in pulmonary function, inflammatory factors, and clinical symptoms after smoking cessation in COPD patients with varied HRCT phenotypes

Liu Cuicui, Zhu Yafang(), Lyu Wenjuan   

  1. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Hebei Petro China Central Hospital, Langfang 065000, China
  • Received:2024-03-08 Online:2024-07-20 Published:2024-08-02
  • Contact: Zhu Yafang E-mail:zhuyafang01@163.com

Abstract:

Objective This study aims to evaluate the advantages of smoking cessation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) across various high-resolution CT (HRCT) phenotypes. Methods We included 272 COPD patients who were smokers and underwent HRCT examination at our hospital's Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine between June 2021 and June 2022. Patients were categorized based on their willingness to quit smoking and their success in doing so, while continuing their basic COPD treatment. A total of 104 successful quitters were selected for this study. These 104 COPD patients were further classified into three types according to the classification of low attenuation areas (LAA) under HRCT and the thickness of the airway wall: Type A (33 cases), Type E (35 cases), and Type M (34 cases). We recorded their lung function indicators (forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1], FEV1/forced vital capacity [FVC]), expression levels of inflammatory factors (T helper 17 cells/regulatory T cells [Th17/Treg], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]), arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), cough score, and number of acute exacerbations. Results ①Lung Function Indicators: Prior to smoking cessation, there was no statistically significant difference in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC among the three groups (P>0.05). Post-cessation, both the A and E groups exhibited higher FEV1 and FEV1/FVC compared to the M group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). ②Cytokine Expression Levels: Prior to smoking cessation, there was no statistically significant difference in Th17/Treg and TNF-α among the three groups (P>0.05). Post-cessation, both the A and E groups demonstrated lower Th17/Treg and TNF-α levels compared to the M group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). ③PaCO2 and ESR: Prior to smoking cessation, there was no statistically significant difference in PaCO2 and ESR among the three groups (P>0.05). Post-cessation, both the A and M groups had lower PaCO2 levels compared to the E group; both the A and E groups had lower ESR levels compared to the M group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). ④Number of Acute Exacerbations and Cough Score: Prior to smoking cessation, there was no statistically significant difference in the number of acute exacerbations and cough score among the three groups (P>0.05). Post-cessation, both the A and M groups experienced fewer acute exacerbations compared to the E group; both the A and E groups had higher cough scores compared to the M group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion There are variations in the number of acute exacerbations and therapeutic effects post-smoking cessation among COPD patients with different HRCT phenotypes. Specifically, patients with Type E and Type M exhibit a weaker improvement effect after quitting smoking. However, quitting smoking has a more pronounced improvement effect on the number of acute exacerbations, lung function, and inflammatory factors in patients with Type A.

Key words: pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive, smoking cessation, high-resolution CT, respiratory function tests, inflammatory factors

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