Photo Credit: magicmine

The following is a summary of “Association of tracheal diameter with respiratory function and fibrosis severity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients,” published in the April 2025 issue of the BMC Pulmonary Medicine by Fazlioglu et al.

This study explores the relationship between tracheal size and respiratory function in individuals diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a chronic lung condition that progressively impairs respiratory function. By analyzing the correlation between tracheal dimensions and various pulmonary function parameters, this research aims to identify potential biomarkers for disease severity and prognosis in patients with IPF.

A retrospective analysis was conducted involving 86 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IPF. Tracheal and bronchial diameters were assessed using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed to measure forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Additionally, the Gender, Age, Physiology (GAP) index was calculated for each patient. Patients were grouped based on demographic factors, including age, gender, and smoking history, to explore potential differences in disease progression.

Significant positive correlations were identified between the AP and transverse diameters of the trachea in the subcricoid region and the GAP index (r = 0.318, p = 0.003 and r = 0.312, p = 0.004, respectively). Similar correlations were observed between the subcricoid and carina areas and the GAP index (r = 0.307, p = 0.006 and r = 0.334, p = 0.003, respectively), as well as the FVC/DLCO ratio (r = 0.218, p = 0.049 and r = 0.245, p = 0.027, respectively). Furthermore, measurements of the main bronchial areas also demonstrated positive associations with the GAP index, but no significant correlations were found between FVC and DLCO values and the airway dimensions. Notably, an increase of one unit in the GAP index was linked to a 1.69-fold higher risk of mortality (p = 0.0016, 95% confidence interval: 1.22–2.34).

The findings suggest that tracheal and main bronchial areas could serve as valuable biomarkers for assessing disease severity and prognosis in patients with IPF. The significant correlations observed between the subcricoid and carina areas with both the GAP index and FVC/DLCO ratio highlight their potential utility in monitoring disease progression and evaluating therapeutic interventions.

Source: bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12890-025-03624-x