Key clinical point : Airflow limitation is linked to an increased risk for lung cancer, with the association being pronounced in ever smokers.
Major finding : Airflow limitation vs no limitation was associated with a higher risk for lung cancer (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.7; 95% CI 1.4-2.3). The association was greater among current smokers (HR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5-3.2) and former smokers (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.4-3.2) compared with never smokers (HR 0.9; 95% CI 0.4-2.1).
Study details : The data come from a prospective population-based cohort study involving 98,630 participants.
Disclosures: No funding information was available. HJM Groen, R Vliegenthart, and W Timens declared receiving personal fees from pharmaceutical companies outside this work. The other authors reported no disclosures.
Source: Du Y et al. Airflow limitation increases lung cancer risk in smokers: The Lifelines Cohort Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2022;31(7):1442–1449 (May 9). Doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-21-1365