Respiratory effects of particulate air pollution episodes in former smokers with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a panel study

Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria		Exclusion criteria
COPD Group	Control Group	All Groups
Former smoker	Former smoker	Active smoking
≥10 pack year smoking history, quit at least 3 months prior to enrollment	≥10 pack year smoking history, quit at least 3 months prior to enrollment	Any significant pulmonary disease other than COPD which would limit the interpretability of the pulmonary function measures
Age 40-85	Age 40-85
Moderate or severe COPD:	Spirometry without evidence of airflow obstruction	COPD exacerbation^a in the prior six weeks
FEV1/FVC below the lower limit of normal and FEV1 < 70 % predicted for age and height	No evidence of emphysema on CT imaging, if previously obtained	Currently taking ≥10 mg a day of prednisone or equivalent systemic corticosteroid
		Inability to perform exhaled breath condensate, spirometry, or complete respiratory symptom questionnaire
		Pregnant or intending to become pregnant

^a An acute exacerbation of COPD was defined as a sustained worsening of the patient’s condition, from the stable state and beyond normal day-to-day variations, that is acute in onset and necessitates a change in regular medication in a patient with underlying COPD [30]

ISSN: 2054-9040