Structural features on quantitative chest computed tomography of patients with maximal mid-expiratory flow impairment in a normal lung function population

BACKGROUND: Maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) is an earlier predictor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development than forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)). Changes of lung structure in patients with MMEF impairment only is still not clear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the structural features of patients with decreased MMEF by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and develop a predictive model for predicting patients with reduced MMEF in normal lung function population. METHODS: In this study, 131 patients with normal spirometry results and available volumetric chest CT images were enrolled and divided into the reduced MMEF group (FEV(1)/forced expiratory vital capacity (FEV(1)/FVC) > 0.7, FEV(1)% predictive values (FEV(1)%pred) > 80%, MMEF%pred < 80%, n = 52) and the normal MMEF group (FEV(1)/FVC > 0.7, FEV(1)%pred > 80%, MMEF%pred ≥ 80%, n = 79). The emphysema, small airway disease and medium-size airway parameters were measured by a commercial software. The differences were investigated in clinical features, spirometrical parameters and QCT parameters between the two groups. A nomogram model was constructed based on the results of the multivariable logistic regression model. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated between QCT measurements and spirometrical parameters. RESULTS: There were more males in reduced MMEF group than normal group (P < 0.05). Lung parenchyma parameter (PRM(Emph)) and airway-related parameters (functional small airway disease (PRM(fSAD)), luminal area of fifth- and sixth- generation airway (LA(5), LA(6)) were significantly different between the reduced MMEF group and the normal group (20.2 ± 17.4 vs 9.4 ± 6.7, 3.4 ± 3.5 vs 1.9 ± 2.0, 12.2 ± 2.5 vs 13.7 ± 3.4, 7.7 ± 2.4 vs 8.9 ± 2.8, respectively, all P < 0.01). After multivariable logistical regression, only sex (odds ratio [OR]: 2.777; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.123–3.867), PRM(fSAD) (OR:1.102, 95%CI:1.045–1.162) and LA(6) (OR:0.650, 95%CI:0.528–0.799) had significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05) and a model incorporating with the three indicators was constructed (area under curve, 0.836). Correlation analysis showed MMEF%pred had mild to moderate correlation with airway-related measurements. CONCLUSION: In normal lung function population, patients with reduced MMEF have potential medium-size and small airway changes, and MMEF%pred is significantly associated with airway-related CT parameters. The nomogram incorporating with sex, PRM(fSAD) and LA(6) has good predictive value and offers more objective evidences in a group with reduced MMEF. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-023-02380-0.