Pulmonary function and Lung Ageing in healthy smokers

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Tobacco smoking stands as the primary factor to preventable mortality on a global scale. Its effects encompass the development of a gradual deterioration in pulmonary function. Within this framework, individuals characterized as Healthy Smokers (HS) are not exempt from experiencing functional pulmonary abnormalities. <bold>Objective:</bold> To compare clinical and functional profiles according to Lung Aging (LA) among HS. <bold>Methods:</bold> It was a comparative retrospective study conducted in the pulmonary function testing department of Abderrahman MAMI hospital from 2016 to 2020. Spirometry was performed with measurement of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1%), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC%) , Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF%) and Forced expiratory Flow at 25 and 75% of Vital Capacity (FEF25-75). Estimated Lung Age (ELA) was calculated according to this formula (QUANJER et al): (1.483 * height) - (34.483*FEV1) -85.8621. Lung Ageing (LA) was retained when ELA was higher than Chronological Age (CA). Study population was divided into two groups: G1(ELA > CA) and G2 (ELA <CA). <bold>Results:</bold> The study population included 666 men. Mean of CA was 52.54±8.64 years. LA was present in 68.2% (n=454) and mean ELA was 58.04±17.36 years. Means of Tobacco Consumption was higher in G1 than in G2 (44.15±35.03 in G1 vs 35.94±24.35 in G2 , p<0.05). As for spirometric measurements, means of FEV1, FVC, PEF and FEF25-75 were 88.81±7.98, 89.48±10.22 , 83.89±17.65 and 80.37±22.17 in G1 vs 108.81±7.15, 108.88± 8.32, 95.48±15.87 and 101.78±24.39 in G2 (p<0.05). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Our findings have shown that asymptomatic individuals may manifest functional pulmonary abnormalities, emphasizing the critical need for assessing LA in HS.