Detection of diffusing capacity and correlative study in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

[Objective] To investigate the change of diffusing capacity and correlation with other lung function marks in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [Methods] Diffusing capacity was tested on 123 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 84 normal controls. [Results] There was significant difference in DLCO% and DLCO/VA% between COPD group and control group. The DLCO% was positively correlated with VC%, FEV1%, FVC%, FEV1/FVC%, MVV%. The DLCO/VA% was positively correlated with FEV1/FVC%, MVV%. The DLCO% and DLCO/VA% were negativly correlated with RV/TLC. DLCO% and DLCO/VA% decreased in the groups with different degree obstructive ventilation dysfunction. DLCO% and DLCO/VA% decreased in the groups with different degree of pulmonary emphysema. [Conclusions] The diffusing capacity decreases in the patients with COPD. The different degree obstructive ventilation dysfunction and the degree of pulmonary emphysema may influence the diffusing capacity. The diffusing capacity was correlated with ventilation function marks. The detection of diffusing capacity of the patients with COPD may play a role in the diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema and the estimation of disease development.