Diffusing Capacity of Carbon Monoxide in Assessment of COPD

Background Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) is inconsistently obtained in patients with COPD, and the added benefit of Dlco testing beyond that of more common tools is unknown. Objective The goal of this study was to determine whether lower Dlco is associated with increased COPD morbidity independent of emphysema assessed via spirometry and CT imaging. Methods Data for 1,806 participants with COPD from the Genetic...