Change in lung function and morbidity from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in alpha1-antitrypsin MZ heterozygotes: A longitudinal study of the general population.
BACKGROUND: A deteriorating effect of severe alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency (ZZ genotype) on lung function is well known, whereas the role of intermediate deficiency (MZ genotype) remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that MZ intermediate alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency affects pulmonary function and disease. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study with 21-year follow-up. SETTING: Copenhagen, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: 9187 adults randomly selected from the Danish general population. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma alpha(1)-antitrypsin levels, annual decrease in FEV(1), airway obstruction, and hospitalization and mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). RESULTS: 451 participants (4.9%) carried the MZ genotype. Plasma alpha(1)-antitrypsin levels were 31% lower in MZ heterozygotes than in persons with the MM genotype (Student t -test, P
Notes
SummaryForPatientsIn: Ann Intern Med. 2002 Feb 19;136(4):I3511848738