Emphysema identified on baseline low-dose CT in a lung cancer screening cohort of 9,047 adults predicted long-term mortality. Over 25 years of follow-up, emphysema was tied to higher all-cause, COPD, and cardiovascular deaths, with the strongest and graded effect for COPD mortality. Most emphysema cases were previously undiagnosed. Authors noted limitations including subjective visual scoring, evolving CT techniques, and unmeasured changes in smoking and comorbidities.

Source: Radiology