Computed tomography-based visual assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: comparison with pulmonary function test and quantitative computed tomography

This study evaluated the relationship between visually assessed computed tomography (CT) subtypes of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and various clinical and imaging characteristics. Between 2012 and 2017, 452 participants were enrolled and seven COPD subtypes were defined using visual evaluation of CT images. The study found significant differences in clinical, laboratory, spirometric, and quantitative CT features among these CT-based visual subtypes, the latter of which was analyzed using the Aview system by Coreline Soft. As the visual grade of centrilobular emphysema worsened, there was a noted decline in pulmonary function and an increase in COPD assessment test score and quantitative assessment. Conversely, the bronchial subtype was associated with a higher body mass index, better lung function, and higher lung density. The study concluded that classifying COPD subtypes using visual CT imaging features can reflect the disease's heterogeneity and pathological processes.