Preserved ratio impaired spirometry is associated with small airway dysfunction and reduced total lung capacity

BACKGROUND: Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) refers to decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) in the setting of preserved ratio. Little is known about the role of PRISm and its complex relation with small airway dysfunction (SAD) and lung volume. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associations between PRISm and SAD and lung volume. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional community-dwelling study in China. Demographic data, standard respiratory epidemiology questionnaire, spirometry, impulse oscillometry (IOS) and computed tomography (CT) data were collected. PRISm was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC ≥ 0.70 and FEV(1) < 80% predicted. Spirometry-defined SAD was defined as at least two of three of the post-bronchodilator maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), forced expiratory flow 50% (FEF50), and forced expiratory flow 75% (FEF75) less than 65% of predicted. IOS-defined SAD and CT-defined gas trapping were defined by the fact that the cutoff value of peripheral airway resistance R5–R20 > 0.07 kPa/L/s and LAA(− 856)>20%, respectively. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression were used to determine associations between PRISm and SAD and lung volume. We then repeated the analysis with a lower limit of normal definition of spirometry criteria and FVC definition of PRISm. Moreover, we also performed subgroup analyses in ever smoker, never smoker, subjects without airway reversibility or self-reported diagnosed asthma, and subjects with CT-measured total lung capacity ≥70% of predicted. RESULTS: The final analysis included 1439 subjects. PRISm had higher odds and more severity in spirometry-defined SAD (pre-bronchodilator: odds ratio [OR]: 5.99, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 3.87–9.27, P < 0.001; post-bronchodilator: OR: 14.05, 95%CI: 8.88–22.24, P < 0.001), IOS-defined SAD (OR: 2.89, 95%CI: 1.82–4.58, P < 0.001), and CT-air trapping (OR: 2.01, 95%CI: 1.08–3.72, P = 0.027) compared with healthy control after adjustment for confounding factors. CT-measured total lung capacity in PRISm was lower than that in healthy controls (4.15 ± 0.98 vs. 4.78 ± 1.05 L, P < 0.05), after adjustment. These results were robust in repeating analyses and subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: Our finding revealed that PRISm was associated with SAD and reduced total lung capacity. Future studies to identify the underlying mechanisms and longitudinal progression of PRISm are warranted. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-022-02216-1.