A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that low lung function in early adulthood is a significant factor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and that an accelerated decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is not always necessary for COPD. The study analyzed data from three large, independent cohorts: the Framingham Offspring Cohort, the Copenhagen City Heart Study, and the Lovelace Smokers Cohort. Participants were categorized based on their FEV1 levels at the start of the study and their COPD status at the end. The results showed that 26% of individuals with a FEV1 below 80% of the predicted value by age 40 developed COPD after 22 years, compared to 7% of those with a FEV1 of at least 80% of the predicted value. Half of the COPD cases were from individuals with normal FEV1 at age 40 but a rapid decline in FEV1 afterward, while the other half had low FEV1 in early adulthood and a slower decline. The study suggests that COPD can develop from low lung function in early life, even if the decline in FEV1 is within normal ranges. The findings challenge the traditional view that COPD always results from an accelerated decline in FEV1 and highlight the importance of early lung function in the development of the disease. The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline and others.A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that low lung function in early adulthood is a significant factor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and that an accelerated decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is not always necessary for COPD. The study analyzed data from three large, independent cohorts: the Framingham Offspring Cohort, the Copenhagen City Heart Study, and the Lovelace Smokers Cohort. Participants were categorized based on their FEV1 levels at the start of the study and their COPD status at the end. The results showed that 26% of individuals with a FEV1 below 80% of the predicted value by age 40 developed COPD after 22 years, compared to 7% of those with a FEV1 of at least 80% of the predicted value. Half of the COPD cases were from individuals with normal FEV1 at age 40 but a rapid decline in FEV1 afterward, while the other half had low FEV1 in early adulthood and a slower decline. The study suggests that COPD can develop from low lung function in early life, even if the decline in FEV1 is within normal ranges. The findings challenge the traditional view that COPD always results from an accelerated decline in FEV1 and highlight the importance of early lung function in the development of the disease. The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline and others.