Incidence of lung cancer in smokers with and without COPD: Observational study

Population-based studies suggest that COPD increases the risk of lung cancer(LC) among smokers. The aim is to evaluate the influence of COPD in smokers compared to smokers,without comorbidities (Charlson index = 0) in the incidence of LC. Methods: This is an observational prospective cohort study of 596 smokers, 298 without and 298 with COPD(GOLD criteria).We included all patients that all smoke > 15 pack / year without comorbidities (Charlson index = 0) except for COPD.Results: 298 subjects with COPD were smokers and 298 were smokers without COPD. Regarding smoking 42.3% were current smokers at the time of diagnosis and 57.7% were former smokers. Among non-COPD smokers, 4 patients died of a lung cancer(1.3%).Among 33 smokers COPD had a lung cancer(11.1%). Both data were compared by the χ 2 test (p When calculating the survival curves depending on the severity of COPD and LC incidence, It shows that a lower severity of illness is also associated with an increased risk of lung cancer Conclusions: COPD increases the risk of developing LC among smokers, regardless of other risk factors A lower severity of illness is also associated with an increased risk of LC.