Physiological and morphological differences of airways between COPD and asthma–COPD overlap

Abstract

Overlap of asthma and COPD has attracted attention recently. We aimed to clarify physiological and morphological differences of the airways between COPD and asthma–COPD overlap (ACO). Respiratory resistance and reactance and three-dimensional computed tomography data were evaluated in 167 patients with COPD. Among them, 43 patients who fulfilled the diagnosis of asthma were defined as having ACO. Among 124 patients with COPD without ACO, 86 with a comparable smoking history and airflow limitation as those with ACO were selected using propensity score matching (matched COPD). The intraluminal area (Ai) and wall thickness (WT) of third- to sixth-generation bronchi were measured and adjusted by body surface area (BSA; Ai/BSA and WT/√BSA, respectively). Patients with ACO had higher respiratory resistance and reactance during tidal breathing, but a smaller gap between the inspiratory and expiratory phases, compared with matched patients with COPD. Patients with ACO had a greater WT/√BSA in third- to fourth-generation bronchi, smaller Ai/BSA in fifth- to sixth-generation bronchi, and less emphysematous changes than did matched patients with COPD. Even when patients with ACO and those with COPD have a comparable smoking history and fixed airflow limitation, they have different physiological and morphological features of the airways.