Loss of skin elasticity is associated with pulmonary emphysema, biomarkers of inflammation, and matrix metalloproteinase activity in smokers

Table 4 The lowest quartile of the skin viscoelastic modulus is independently associated with pulmonary emphysema

	VE	Odds Ratio	95% C.I.	P-value	P-trend
COPD	Median	2.40	1.29 to 4.48	0.006
	Q4 (Ref)	–
	Q3	1.32	0.58 to 2.97	0.51	0.004
	Q2	2.22	0.96 to 5.12	0.063	0.004
	Q1	3.66	1.49 to 8.99	0.005
Emphysema	Median	3.27	1.73 to 6.21	<0.0001
	Q4 (Ref)	–
	Q3	0.69	0.31 to 1.52	0.41	0.002
	Q2	2.17	0.95 to 4.95	0.07	0.002
	Q1	2.89	1.12 to 7.47	0.025

Notes: An adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to test likelihood of emphysema by quartiles of skin viscoelastic modulus (VE) following adjustment for age, gender, sun exposure, current smoking and pack year smoking history. C.I., confidence intervals. The presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was defined using FEV1/FVC less than 70%. and subjects were categorized as having emphysema based on a visual emphysema score of greater than zero

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