Correlation between pulmonary function abnormalities and sputum cytological finding in cigarette smokers

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the relationship between changes of lung function parameters and sputum cytology among smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and non-smoker healthy controls, sixty nine male cases were studied. Thirty two patients were in smokers' group [n=22 COPD, mean age + SD, 41+5 years old, n=10 without COPD, mean age + SD, 61+11 years old] twenty nine in ex-smokers group [n=23 COPD, mean age + SD, 61+11 years old, n=6 without COPD, mean age + SD, 41+5 years old] and eight in non-smokers healthy group [mean age + SD, 40+7 years]. Spirometric measurements FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio were noted and sputum processed and cell counts were performed by a blinded observer. There was a negative correlation FEV1/FVC ratio and increasing age [r=-0.72, p<0.001], same with duration of cigarette smoking [r=-0.66] and also with pack-year cigarette smoking [r=-0.66]. Neutrophil counts were significantly increased in smoker and ex-smoker groups as compared to non-smokers group [p<0.005]. There were significant differences in the number of macrophages, pigmented macrophages, neutrophils, mucus spirals and columnar epithelial cells [p<0.001]. This study concludes that cessation of cigarette smoking could reduce number of inflammatory cells and my improve airway obstruction