Airflow limitation among young adults in Europe: A preliminary analysis in a Chronic Airway Diseases Early Stratification (CADSET) collaboration including 109 216 individuals across seven population-based cohorts

<bold>Introduction:</bold> The extent to which airflow limitation, a key feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presenting later in life, is already present in early adulthood is unclear. <bold>Objective:</bold> We investigated the prevalence of airflow limitation in young adults across European population-based cohorts. <bold>Methods:</bold> Using pre-bronchodilator spirometry measurements from 109,216 individuals aged 20-50 years across seven population-based European cohorts in the CADSET collaboration, we applied two commonly used definitions of airflow limitation: forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity [FVC] < lower limit of normal (LLN) according to GLI criteria, and FEV1/FVC <0.7. We explored how criteria fulfilment related to sex and ever-smoking. <bold>Results:</bold> Prevalence of airflow limitation in young European adults ranged from 3-12% (FEV1/FVC<0·70) and 8-10% (FEV1/FVC<LLN) with increasing age from 20 to 50 in 5-year groups. As expected, at these ages, differences in prevalence of airflow limitation were observed between the FEV1/FVC <0.7 and <LLN criteria. In those aged 20 to 40, the prevalence of airflow limitation according to FEV1/FVC<0.7 was 40% to 80% of that according to FEV1/FVC<LLN. Discordance most affected younger age groups, women, and those with <10 pack-years smoking exposure. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Airflow limitation, by either definition, was common among young adults within these European population cohorts; its cause and its role in prior, concurrent, or future airways disease merits further investigation.

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Publication Details

Journal
Epidemiology
Published
2024-09-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2024.pa3095
Primary Topic
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
Type
article
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article

Airflow limitation among young adults in Europe: A preliminary analysis in a Chronic Airway Diseases Early Stratification (CADSET) collaboration including 109 216 individuals across seven population-based cohorts

Maarten van den Berge, Shoaib Afzal, Judith M. Vonk, Lowie E.G.W. Vanfleteren et al.
Epidemiology
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
article

Airflow limitation among young adults in Europe: A preliminary analysis in a Chronic Airway Diseases Early Stratification (CADSET) collaboration including 109 216 individuals across seven population-based cohorts

Maarten van den Berge, Shoaib Afzal, Judith M. Vonk, Lowie E.G.W. Vanfleteren, Deborah Jarvis, Anne Lindberg, Helena Bäckman, Peter Lange, Hannu Kankaanranta, Erik Melén, Alvar G.N. Agustí, Rosa Faner, Eva Rönmark, James P. Allinson, Arnulf Langhammer, Sigrid Anna Aalberg Vikjord, Yunus Çolak, Børge Grønne Nordestgaard, Jørgen Vestbo, Bright I. Nwaru, Jadwiga A. Wedzicha
article en

Abstract

<bold>Introduction:</bold> The extent to which airflow limitation, a key feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presenting later in life, is already present in early adulthood is unclear. <bold>Objective:</bold> We investigated the prevalence of airflow limitation in young adults across European population-based cohorts. <bold>Methods:</bold> Using pre-bronchodilator spirometry measurements from 109,216 individuals aged 20-50 years across seven population-based European cohorts in the CADSET collaboration, we applied two commonly used definitions of airflow limitation: forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity [FVC] < lower limit of normal (LLN) according to GLI criteria, and FEV1/FVC <0.7. We explored how criteria fulfilment related to sex and ever-smoking. <bold>Results:</bold> Prevalence of airflow limitation in young European adults ranged from 3-12% (FEV1/FVC<0·70) and 8-10% (FEV1/FVC<LLN) with increasing age from 20 to 50 in 5-year groups. As expected, at these ages, differences in prevalence of airflow limitation were observed between the FEV1/FVC <0.7 and <LLN criteria. In those aged 20 to 40, the prevalence of airflow limitation according to FEV1/FVC<0.7 was 40% to 80% of that according to FEV1/FVC<LLN. Discordance most affected younger age groups, women, and those with <10 pack-years smoking exposure. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Airflow limitation, by either definition, was common among young adults within these European population cohorts; its cause and its role in prior, concurrent, or future airways disease merits further investigation.

Epidemiology
University of Copenhagen (DK), University Medical Center Groningen (NL), Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (FI), Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (GB), Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust (GB), Levanger Hospital (NO), Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE), Herlev Hospital (DK), Copenhagen University Hospital (DK), Gentofte Hospital (DK), Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (GB), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (ES), Lung Institute (US), St Olav's University Hospital (NO), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (ES), Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital (SE), Vitensenteret i Trondheim (NO), NTNU Samfunnsforskning (NO), University of Gothenburg (SE), Umeå University (SE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
DOISourceOpenAlex
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