Wan ES, Balte P, Schwartz JE, et al. - Researchers investigated the prevalence, correlates, and clinical outcomes associated with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), defined as the ratio of forced expired volume in the first second to forced vital capacity (FEV₁:FVC) greater than or equal to 0.7 with an FEV₁ less than 80% predicted, in a population-based sample of US adults.

• The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Pooled Cohorts Study was a retrospective cohort study, performed including 53,701 participants.

• Among participants, 4,582 (8.5%) had PRISm.

• Obesity, underweight, female gender, and current smoking were noted to be significantly linked with the presence of PRISm relative to normal spirometry.

• When compared with normal spirometry, the presence of PRISm at baseline was significantly linked with elevated subsequent risk for all-cause mortality, respiratory-related mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD)-related mortality, respiratory-related hospitalizations and mortality, and CHD-related hospitalizations and mortality.