Bronchoalveolar Lavage Findings in Patients With Mild to Moderate COPD Who do not Currently Smoke

In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of smoking cessation on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in COPD patients who were heavy or less heavy smokers. Twenty five ambulatory patients with stable mild to moderate COPD according to the GOLD clas­sification were included the study. Sixteen patients had a history of more than 40 pack-years cigarette (Group 1) and 9 had a history of less than 40 pack-years cigarette (Group 2) were compared for the relationship of smoking history and spirometric tests with BAL cell count and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels. Mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEVj) value in Gro­up 1 was significantly lower as compared to Group 2 (1412± 106.8 ml and 1488±239.4 ml respectively) (p=0.009). In the total group of patients, a positive correlation was found between intensity of smoking history and increased neutrophils. (p=0.002, r=0.583) and a negative correlation between neutrophils and FEVj (p=0.003, r=- 0.435). No association was observed between intensity of ciga­rette smoking history and IL-8, FEV|. Patients with COPD who had a history of heavy smoking had hig­her neutrophil counts in the airways as compared to less heavy smo­kers and increased neutrophil counts were associated with altered lung functions. Despite quitting smoking, neutrophilic inflammati­on was found to continue in patients with COPD