ABSTRACT
The incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is increasing particularly in developing countries. Their prognosis depend on several factors in particular the one second forced expiratory volume [FEV1] decline. To study FEV1 decline speed and factors affecting it, we carried out a retrospective study of 160 cases of COPD in stable state and heaving at least two FEV1 measures at 6 months of interval in the minimum and. The middle age was 63 +/- 12 yr, 52% was former smokers and 46% current smokers, with middle of 50 +/- 27pack-yr.The FEV1 decline was calculated by linear regression models. The decline average in FEV1 with time was 72 +/- 55 ml/yr. Absolute value was higher than 30 ml/yr therefore more accelerated than general population in 79% of cases. We confirmed by multivariate analysis that age and smoking habit and increased the FEV1 decline. However this last correlated with FEV1% predicted. We concluded that the decline of FEV1 is higher in COPD that in the general population and I slowing it needs smoking stop