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. 2018 May 16;13(5):e0197250.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197250. eCollection 2018.

Aging-related trajectories of lung function in the general population-The Doetinchem Cohort Study

Sandra H van Oostrom  1 , Peter M Engelfriet  1 , W M Monique Verschuren  1 , Maarten Schipper  1 , Inge M Wouters  2 , Marike Boezen  3 , Henriëtte A Smit  4 , Huib A M Kerstjens  5 , H Susan J Picavet  1
Affiliations

Aging-related trajectories of lung function in the general population-The Doetinchem Cohort Study

Sandra H van Oostrom et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore trajectories of lung function decline with age in the general population, and to study the effect of sociodemographic and life style related risk factors, in particular smoking and BMI. For this purpose, we used data from the Doetinchem Cohort Study (DCS) of men and women, selected randomly from the general population and aged 20-59 years at inclusion in 1987-1991, and followed until the present. Participants in the DCS are assessed every five years. Spirometry has been performed as part of this assessment from 1994 onwards. Participants were included in this study if spirometric measurement of FEV1, which in this study was the main parameter of interest, was acceptable and reproducible on at least one measurement round, leading to the inclusion of 5727 individuals (3008 females). Statistical analysis revealed three typical trajectories. The majority of participants followed a trajectory that closely adhered to the Global Lung Initiative Reference values (94.9% of men and 96.4% of women). Two other trajectories showed a more pronounced decline. Smoking and the presence of respiratory complaints were the best predictors of a trajectory with stronger decline. A greater BMI over the follow-up period was associated with a more unfavorable FEV1 course both in men (β = -0.027 (SD = 0.002); P < 0.001) and in women (β = -0.008 (SD = 0.001); P < 0.001). Smokers at baseline who quit the habit during follow-up, showed smaller decline in FEV1 in comparison to persistent smokers, independent of BMI change (In men β = -0.074 (SD = 0.020); P < 0.001. In women β = -0.277 (SD = 0.068); P < 0.001). In conclusion, three typical trajectories of age-related FEV1 decline could be distinguished. Change in the lifestyle related risk factors, BMI and smoking, significantly impact aging-related decline of lung function. Identifying deviant trajectories may help in early recognition of those at risk of a diagnosis of lung disease later in life.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Trajectories of FEV1 (Liters) for men.
The curves in the upper left panels of the figure represent the ‘average’ FEV1 trajectory for the individuals in each group, after classification into groups based on the greatest probability of class membership. The upper right panels show the FVC trajectories for these groups. The bottom panels display the individual FEV1 curves of the members of each group separately.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Trajectories of FEV1 (Liters) for women.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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