Skip to main content

Quantitative Interstitial Abnormality Linked to Severe ARD in Smokers

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 6, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, May 6, 2024 -- For individuals with a smoking history, quantitative interstitial abnormality (QIA) progression is associated with increased odds of severe acute respiratory disease (ARD), according to a study published in the April issue of Radiology.

Bina Choi, M.D., from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues examined whether QIA progression at computed tomography (CT) is associated with ARD and severe ARD in a secondary analysis of a prospective study involving individuals with a smoking history of 10 pack-years or greater. QIA progression was examined on chest CT at baseline and five-year follow-up (visit 1 and visit 2).

Data were included for 3,972 participants. The researchers observed an association for annual percentage QIA progression with increased odds of one or more intercurrent and subsequent severe ARD events (odds ratios, 1.29 and 1.26, respectively). Compared with those in the lowest quartile (≤−1.7 percent), participants in the highest quartile of QIA progression (≥1.2 percent) had more frequent intercurrent and severe ARD (incidence rate ratios, 1.46 and 1.79, respectively).

"These results suggest that QIA progression may represent changes in several parenchymal processes that have short-term intercurrent as well as long-term subsequent impacts on patient symptoms and exacerbations," the authors write.

The study was partially funded by contributions made to an industry advisory board composed of several pharmaceutical companies.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Smoking + RA With Obstructive Pattern Shows Less Spirometry Decline

TUESDAY, June 25, 2024 -- Patients who have smoked with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an obstructive pattern may be a unique phenotype, according to a study published online June...

Varenicline, Nicotine-Containing E-Cigarettes Help in Quitting Smoking

WEDNESDAY, June 19, 2024 -- Varenicline and nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes (ECs) are both effective in helping individuals in quitting smoking conventional cigarettes...

Teens, Young Adults Modify Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

MONDAY, June 17, 2024 -- Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are aware of and engage in modifications of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), according to a study...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.