An observational study in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Emphysema and Airway Obstruction, sponsored by Mansoura University. Completed at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-09.
Sponsored by Mansoura University · Observational
This study evaluates the role of volumetric high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest in assessing patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a heterogeneous lung condition characterized by chronic pulmonary symptoms, structural airway/alveolar changes, and progressive airflow limitation. While spirometry provides a global assessment of lung function, it cannot localize or fully characterize specific structural abnormalities. Volumetric HRCT allows for detailed, quantitative imaging of lung parenchyma, emphysema extent, air trapping, and airway wall thickness. The primary objective of this cross-sectional observational study is to quantify emphysema, air trapping, and bronchial wall thickness in patients with stable COPD and to evaluate the relationship between these volumetric HRCT findings and clinical measures of disease severity. By identifying objective imaging parameters, this study aims to improve patient evaluation, disease staging, and clinical management.
Background and Rationale:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms (such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production) resulting from airway and/or alveolar abnormalities that cause progressive airflow obstruction. While irreversible airflow obstruction (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC \< 0.70) measured by spirometry confirms the diagnosis, global spirometric tests lack the spatial resolution required to assess regional parenchymal destruction, emphysema distribution, or peripheral air trapping. Volumetric High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) enables detailed, three-dimensional quantitative assessment of lung parenchyma and structural alterations in COPD.
Study Objectives:
To quantify emphysema extent, air trapping, and airway wall thickness using volumetric HRCT.
To assess the relationship between quantitative volumetric HRCT findings and clinical measures of COPD severity.
Methods and Procedures:
This cross-sectional observational study is conducted at Mansoura University Hospital (smoking clinic and chest disease general clinic) under ethics approval code MS.25.02.3101. Enrolled participants include patients with stable COPD diagnosed according to GOLD guidelines.
All participants undergo the following assessments:
Clinical Evaluation: Comprehensive history taking (symptoms, smoking status), physical examination, and mMRC Dyspnea Scale grading.
Pulmonary Function Testing \& Lung Volumes: Spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, MMEF), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and lung volume measurements (RV, TLC, RV/TLC%).
Laboratory Tests: Complete Blood Count (CBC) with calculation of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis.
HRCT Imaging Protocol: Multidetector HRCT (minimum 64-slice, ≤1,5 mm slice thickness, 512x512 matrix) performed during full inspiratory breath-hold (with optional expiratory scanning for air trapping evaluation). Dedicated high-resolution algorithms and window settings are applied to quantify parenchymal and bronchial changes.
nd bronchial changes.
Patients attending the smoking clinic and chest disease general clinic at Mansoura University Hospital who have stable COPD confirmed by pulmonary function testing.
Inclusion Criteria:Patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Diagnosed according to GOLD criteria (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC \< 0.70)
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Exclusion Criteria:
Contraindication to PFT According to ATS (Stanojevic S., et al 2021)
Absolute contraindications
Severe Uncontrolled Hypertension:
Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients undergoing quantitative volumetric High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) of the chest to evaluate parameters such as air trapping and lung volumes, combined with clinical assessment including mMRC dyspnea scale scoring and laboratory assessment including Cbc abg
Diagnostic Test: Volumetric HRCT chest · Diagnostic Test: Spirometry and Body Plethysmography
Multidetector volumetric high-resolution computed tomography (≥64 slices, ≤1.0 mm slice thickness) performed during full inspiratory breath-hold and full expiratory breath-hold to quantitatively measure emphysema percentage (EM%), air trapping percentage (AT%), wall thickness (WT), wall area (WA) ,WA% and WT%
Standardized pulmonary function testing performed according to ATS/ERS standards to measure post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volumes (FEV1, FVC) and static lung volumes (RV/TLC ratio).
Emphysema Percentage (EM%) Across GOLD Stages
Volumetric CT assessment quantifying the percentage of low-attenuation lung areas below -950 Hounsfield Units (%LAA-950) across post-bronchodilator GOLD grades (GOLD 1 to 4). Unit of Measure: Percentage (%)
Time frame: Baseline
Bronchial Wall Thickness (WT) Across GOLD Stages
Volumetric CT quantitative measurement of airway wall thickness evaluated in segmental and subsegmental bronchi across post-bronchodilator GOLD grades (GOLD 1 to 4).Unit of measurements millimeter (mm).
Time frame: Baseline
Percentage Wall Area (WA%) Across GOLD Stages
Volumetric CT quantitative measurement of bronchial wall area expressed as a percentage of total bronchial cross-sectional area across post-bronchodilator GOLD grades (GOLD 1 to 4). Unit of Measure: Percentage (%)
Time frame: Baseline
Air Trapping Percentage (AT%) Across GOLD Stages
Volumetric CT assessment evaluating the percentage of low-attenuation lung areas on paired expiratory CT scans (%LAA-856 or expiratory/inspiratory ratio) across post-bronchodilator GOLD grades (GOLD 1 to 4). Unit of Measure: Percentage (%)
Time frame: Baseline
Percentage Wall Thickness (WT%) Across GOLD Stages
Volumetric CT quantitative measurement of bronchial wall thickness expressed as a percentage of total bronchial outer diameter evaluated in segmental and subsegmental bronchi across post-bronchodilator GOLD grades (GOLD 1 to 4). Unit of Measure: Percentage (%)
Time frame: Baseline
Absolute Wall Area (WA) Across GOLD Stages
Volumetric CT quantitative measurement of absolute bronchial wall cross-sectional area evaluated in segmental and subsegmental bronchi across post-bronchodilator GOLD grades (GOLD 1 to 4). Unit of Measure: Millimeter (mm)
Time frame: Baseline
Correlation Coefficient Between CT Emphysema Percentage (EM%) and Spirometric FEV1/FVC Ratio
Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficient evaluating the relationship between quantitative CT-derived emphysema percentage (%LAA-950) and post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio measured by spirometry. Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r)
Time frame: Baseline (same day or within 1 week of HRCT scan)
Correlation Coefficient Between CT Air Trapping Percentage (AT%) and Plethysmographic RV/TLC Ratio
Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficient evaluating the relationship between quantitative expiratory CT air trapping percentage (%LAA-856) and plethysmographic Residual Volume to Total Lung Capacity ratio (RV/TLC expressed as % predicted). Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r)
Time frame: Baseline (same day or within 1 week of HRCT scan)
Correlation Coefficient Between CT Emphysema Percentage (EM%) and Arterial Oxygen Tension (pO2)
Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficient evaluating the relationship between quantitative CT-derived emphysema percentage (%LAA-950) and arterial blood gas oxygen tension (pO2 measured in mmHg). Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r)
Time frame: Baseline
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive→
Mansoura University