Factors associated with abnormal pulmonary function test among subjects with normal chest radiography: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Determinants of abnormal lung function among subjects with normal chest radiography have not been widely evaluated. We investigated 12 109 participants with normal chest radiographs from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Factors associated with abnormal pulmonary function were male gender, age ≥50, smoking history and a clinical history of cough or sputum production. Pulmonary function tests should be considered in population-based screening, especially in men over 50 years old with a smoking history.