The Relationship between Smoking and Pulmonary Function Test by Body Mass Index and Age: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey

ABSTRACT

Background@#Smoking is a known risk factor for decreasing pulmonary function. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between smoking and lung function considering obesity and age group. @*Methods@#This study was based on the data collected during the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES VII). A total of 3,411 adults were retrieved from KNHANES VII. Among 3,411 adults, we studied 1,411 male subjects. Impaired lung function was measured by spirometry at least twice. Data were analyzed using one way analysis of variance. @*Results@#In this study, forced expiratory volume in the first second was associated with smoking status (P=0.024). The association was stronger in old subjects (P=0.008). Also, in the obese group, the association of lung function with smoking status was not significant, but the association was significant in the non-obese group (P=0.019). @*Conclusions@#In this study, Smoking was significantly associated with impaired lung function. The association was stronger in old men and obese men. In order to obtain an accurate assessment of the association between smoking and pulmonary function values, further prospective cohort study in the future is necessary.