Interstitial Lung Abnormalities and the Clinical Course in Patients With COPD.

BACKGROUND: The presence and progression of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) is known to be associated with a decline of lung function and increased risk of mortality. RESEARCH QUESTION: We aimed to elucidate the clinical course according to ILAs in patients with COPD. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted between January 2013 and December 2018 of COPD patients who underwent chest CT imaging and longitudinal pulmonary function tests. We evaluated radiologic findings, history of acute exacerbations of COPD, and lung function changes during the longitudinal follow-up. RESULTS: Of 363 patients with COPD, 44 and 103 patients had equivocal and definite ILAs, respectively. Patients with ILAs were significantly older and had lower FEV1 and FVC than patients without ILAs. During the mean follow-up period of 5.2 years, ILAs were associated significantly with the annual incidence of moderate to severe acute exacerbation of COPD (ß ± SD, 0.38 ± 0.12; P = .002) and with the risk of frequent exacerbation (adjusted OR, 2.03; P = .045). Patients with progressive ILAs showed a significantly higher rate of annual decline in FEV1 and FVC than those showing no change in, or improved, ILAs. INTERPRETATION: ILAs were associated significantly with moderate to severe acute exacerbation in patients with COPD, and the progression of ILAs was associated with an accelerated decline in lung function.