A novel CT-emphysema index/FEV1 approach of phenotyping COPD to predict mortality

• Main Authors: Loh LC, Ong CK, Koo HJ, Lee SM, Lee JS, Oh YM, Seo JB, Lee SD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2018-08-01
• Series: International Journal of COPD
• Subjects: Computed tomography; emphysema; forced expiratory volume; COPD; mortality
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/a-novel-ct-emphysema-indexfev1-approach-of-phenotyping-copd-to-predict-peer-reviewed-article-COPD

Li-Cher Loh,1 Choo-Khoon Ong,1 Hyun-Jung Koo,2 Sang Min Lee,2 Jae-Seung Lee,3 Yeon-Mok Oh,3 Joon-Beom Seo,2 Sang-Do Lee3 1Department of Medicine, RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus, Penang, Malaysia; 2Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 3Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and Clinical Research Center for Chronic Obstructive Airway Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea Background: COPD-associated mortality was examined using a novel approach of phenotyping COPD based on computed tomography (CT)-emphysema index from quantitative CT (QCT) and post-bronchodilator (BD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in a local Malaysian cohort.Patients and methods: Prospectively collected data of 112 eligible COPD subjects (mean age, 67 years; male, 93%; mean post-BD FEV1, 45.7%) was available for mortality analysis. Median follow-up time was 1,000 days (range, 60–1,400). QCT and clinicodemographic data were collected at study entry. Based on CT-emphysema index and post-BD FEV1% predicted, subjects were categorized into “emphysema-dominant,” “airway-dominant,” “mild mixed airway-emphysema,” and “severe mixed airway-emphysema” diseases.Results: Sixteen patients (14.2%) died of COPD-associated causes. There were 29 (25.9%) “mild mixed,” 23 (20.5%) “airway-dominant,” 15 (13.4%) “emphysema-dominant,” and 45 (40.2%) “severe mixed” cases. “Mild mixed” disease was proportionately more in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Group A, while “severe mixed” disease was proportionately more in GOLD Groups B and D. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates showed increased mortality risk with “severe mixed” disease (log rank test, p=0.03) but not with GOLD groups (p=0.08). Univariate Cox proportionate hazard analysis showed that age, body mass index, long-term oxygen therapy, FEV1, forced volume capacity, COPD Assessment Test score, modified Medical Research Council score, St Georges’ Respiratory Questionnaire score, CT-emphysema index, and “severe mixed” disease (vs “mild mixed” disease) were associated with mortality. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age, body mass index, and COPD Assessment Test score remain independently associated with mortality.Conclusion: “Severe mixed airway-emphysema” disease may predict COPD-associated mortality. Age, body mass index, and COPD Assessment Test score remain as key mortality risk factors in our cohort. Keywords: computed tomography, emphysema, forced expiratory volume, COPD, mortality