Correlation of pulmonary function indexes determined by low-dose MDCT with spirometric pulmonary function tests in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to evaluate the correlation between pulmonary function indexes determined by low-dose MDCT and those obtained from routine spirometric pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lung function of patients with COPD stages 0-III was evaluated by both MDCT and spirometric PFTs. Scanning was performed at maximum end-inspiration and maximum end-expiration.

RESULTS

A very strong correlation was found between extrapolated expiratory lung volume (LVex) and COPD stage (r = 0.802, p < 0.001) and between extrapolated LVex and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and percentage forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) (r = -0.831, p < 0.001). Moreover, strong positive correlations were found between inspiratory lung volume (LVin) and total lung capacity (TLC) (r = 0.658, p < 0.001), LVex and residual volume (RV) (r = 0.683, p < 0.001), extrapolated LVex and RV (r = 0.640, p < 0.001), LVex and RV/TLC (r = 0.602, p < 0.001), LVex/LVin and RV/TLC (r = 0.622, p < 0.001), extrapolated LVex and RV/TLC (r = 0.663, p < 0.001), and LVex and COPD stage (r = 0.697, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Low-dose MDCT lung function indexes correlate well with spirometric PFT results, and the highest correlation is at end-expiration. Low-dose MDCT may be useful for evaluating lung function in patients with COPD.