Relationship between Habit of Cigarette Smoking and Airflow Limitation in Healthy Japanese Individuals: The Takahata Study

Abstract

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic airflow limitation. The prevalence of airflow limitation in Japan is 10.9% (16.4% of males and 5.0% of females). Cigarette smoking is well known as a major cause of COPD. However, few epidemiological studies have evaluated the effects of cigarette smoking on pulmonary function in healthy subjects. Methods Subjects aged 40 years or older (n=2,917), who had participated in a community-based annual health check in Takahata, Japan, from 2004 through 2005, were enrolled in the study. The smoking histories of these subjects were investigated using a self-reported questionnaire. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75) were measured by standard procedures using spirometric machines. Results There were 554 current smokers (18.6%) and 403 former smokers (13.8%). The prevalence of airflow limitation defined by FEV1/FVC <0.7 in this population was 10.6%, and prevalence of airflow limitation defined by 5th percentile lower limit of normal was 6.4%. In smokers, percent predicted values of measured spirometric parameters (%FVC, %FEV1 and %FEF25-75) decreased significantly with age, except for male %FVC. Also, percent predicted values of measured spirometric parameters decreased significantly with increasing pack-years, except for female %FEF25-75. Conclusion Cigarette smoking increased the prevalence and severity of airflow limitation. It is concluded that cigarette smoking increases the risk of airflow limitation in a healthy Japanese population.

Vitamin D and Diagnosis of COPD in a Working Population

“…Although there have been only a few population-based surveys regarding the prevalence of COPD in Japan, these figures are a little higher than those reported in the Nippon COPD Epidemiology (NICE) study, in which the prevalence defined by the fixed ratio was 10.9% [20]. Similarly, in a community-based annual health check, Osaka et al [18] also reported that 10.6% had COPD as defined by the fixed ratio and 6.4% had COPD The serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D concentration was not different between COPD and non-COPD subjects; COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; LLN: Lower limit of normal. as defined by the LLN.…”

“…The LLN for the Japanese population was calculated using the method described by Osaka et al [18]. The participants also answered additional questions to investigate their smoking status and history.…”

Impact of Cigarette Smoking on Maximal Expiratory Flows in a General Population: the Takahata Study

“…The details and analyses of FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC in these subjects have been described previously (17). Most subjects did not report a history of pulmonary disease (17). Ten and eight percent of the subjects in this study population had airflow limitation and lung restriction, respectively (17,21).…”

“…This study was based on a secondary analysis of data that has been previously analyzed and reported (17).…”

“…Subjects who categorized themselves as "never-smokers", despite indicating a number of cigarettes smoked per day or a number of years of smoking, were categorized as "former smokers". The details and analyses of FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC in these subjects have been described previously (17). Most subjects did not report a history of pulmonary disease (17).…”