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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between the changes of lung function parameters and sputum cytology among smokers and non-smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) and non- smoker healthy controls.
Patients: Sixty-nine male cases. Thirty-two smokers group (n=22 COPD, mean age ± SD, 59 ± 9 year-old, n=10 without COPD, mean age SD, 41 ± 5 year-old), twenty-nine ex smokers group (n=23 with COPD, mean age SD ± 61 ± 11 year-old, n=6 without COPD, mean age SD ±41 + 5 year- old), 8non-smokers healthy group (mean age SD ± 40 ± 7).
Intervention: Sputum processing and spirometry.
Measurement and Results: Spirometric measurements FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio were noted. Sputum processing and differential cell counts were performed by a blinded observer. We found that there was a negative correlation between was a negative correlation between FEV1/FVC ratio and pack-year cigarette smoking (r= - 0.66). In histological assessment, neutrophil counts were significantly increased in smokers and ex-smokers groups compared with the nonsmokers group (p<0.005). All groups revealed that there were significant differences in the number of macrophages, pigmented macrophages, neutrophils, mucous, mucous spirals, columnar epitheial cells (p< 0.001).
Conclusion: Cigarette smoking causes cellular changes after deterioration of lung function test as in natural causes of COPD. This clearly shows that smoking or its cessation is a powerful factor in determining the subjects’ outcome