A COMPARISON OF PERIPHERAL AIRWAY FUNCTION IN SMOKERS AND NONSMOKERS / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Fourteen indices of small airway function were measured in 39 male smokers. Fourty male nonsmokers served as the reference. Of 6 forced expiration indices, none revealed the difference between the smokers and nonsmokers in younger age group; in the middle age group only MTT tested the difference significantly; in the smokers of the elder age group all of them significantly changed. Closing volume measurements, helium/oxygen flow-volume curves and diffusing volume did not distinguish the smokers from nonsmokers in all the age groups. The influence of age on the smoking-related changes in MTT and MET was significant. The results show that MTT and other forced expiration indices were more sensitive for mild airway abnormalities than the methods of closing volume, helium/oxygen flow-volume curves and single-breath diffusing capacity.