Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2021

01-12-2021 | Coronary Heart Disease | Research article

Longitudinal change in lung function and subsequent risks of cardiovascular events: evidence from four prospective cohort studies

Authors: Yun-Jiu Cheng, Zhen-Guang Chen, Zhu-Yu Li, Wei-Yi Mei, Wen-Tao Bi, Dong-Ling Luo

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Lung function is constantly changing over the life course. Although the relation of cross-sectional lung function measure and adverse outcomes has been reported, data on longitudinal change and subsequent cardiovascular (CV) events risks are scarce. Therefore, this study is to determine the association of longitudinal change in lung function and subsequent cardiovascular risks.

Methods

This study analyzed the data from four prospective cohorts. Subjects with at least two lung function tests were included. We calculated the rate of forced respiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) decline for each subject and categorized them into quartiles. The primary outcome was CV events, defined as a composite of coronary heart disease (CHD), chronic heart failure (CHF), stroke, and any CV death. Cox proportional hazards regression and restricted cubic spline models were applied.

Results

The final sample comprised 12,899 participants (mean age 48.58 years; 43.61% male). Following an average of 14.79 (10.69) years, 3950 CV events occurred. Compared with the highest FEV1 quartile (Q4), the multivariable HRs for the lowest (Q1), 2nd (Q2), and 3rd quartiles (Q3) were 1.33 (95%CI 1.19, 1.49), 1.30 (1.16, 1.46), and 1.07 (0.95, 1.21), respectively. Likewise, compared with the reference quartile (Q4), the group that experienced a faster decline in FVC had higher HRs for CV events (1.06 [95%CI 0.94–1.20] for Q3, 1.15 [1.02–1.30] for Q2, and 1.28 [1.14–1.44] for Q1). The association remained robust across a series of sensitivity analyses and nearly all subgroups but was more evident in subjects < 60 years.

Conclusions

We observed a monotonic increase in risks of CV events with a faster decline in FEV1 and FVC. These findings emphasize the value of periodic evaluation of lung function and open new opportunities for disease prevention.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
30.
go back to reference Fletcher CM, Peto R, Tinker CM, Speizer FE. The natural history of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1976. Fletcher CM, Peto R, Tinker CM, Speizer FE. The natural history of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1976.
38.
go back to reference Menkes HA, Cohen BH, Beaty TH, Newill CA, Khoury MJ. Risk factors, pulmonary function, and mortality. Prog Clin Biol Res. 1984;147:501–21.PubMed Menkes HA, Cohen BH, Beaty TH, Newill CA, Khoury MJ. Risk factors, pulmonary function, and mortality. Prog Clin Biol Res. 1984;147:501–21.PubMed
Metadata
Title
Longitudinal change in lung function and subsequent risks of cardiovascular events: evidence from four prospective cohort studies
Authors
Yun-Jiu Cheng
Zhen-Guang Chen
Zhu-Yu Li
Wei-Yi Mei
Wen-Tao Bi
Dong-Ling Luo
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-021-02023-3

Other articles of this Issue 1/2021

BMC Medicine 1/2021 Go to the issue