SERUM RESPIRATORY VIRUS-ANTIBODIES - PREDICTOR OF REDUCED ONE-SECOND FORCED EXPIRATORY VOLUME (FEV(1)) IN NORWEGIAN ADULTS

Background. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investiga te whether the presence of serum respiratory virus antibodies was asso ciated with reduced one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV(1)) in ad ults. Methods. From a stratified random sample of 18-73 year old adult s, we performed measurements of serum complement fixing virus antibodi es against influenza type A and B, parainfluenza type 1, 2, and 3, res piratory syncytial virus and adenovirus on 82% (n = 1239). Results. In the crude data, subjects having five of the seven virus antibodies ha d significantly lower lung function, given as sex-, age- and height-st andardized residuals of FEV(1) (SFEV(1)), compared with those without. After adjusting in addition for smoking habits, lifetime smoking cons umption and season, the lung function levels were significantly lower in subjects with influenza type B and respiratory syncytial virus anti bodies compared to those without (P < 0.01). Increasing influenza and respiratory syncytial virus antibody titres and increasing numbers of virus antibodies, respectively, were related to progressively lower lu ng function. Subjects with respiratory symptoms but without obstructiv e lung disease had lower antibody levels than subjects with obstructiv e lung disease, but higher levels than asymptomatic subjects. In a fin al multiple linear regression analysis adjusting in addition for respi ratory symptom and disease status as well as for the other respiratory virus antibodies, the presence of respiratory syncytial virus antibod ies was a significant predictor for reduced SFEV, (regression coeffici ent: -0.226; SE = 0.112; P = 0.04). The magnitude of the effect on lun g function remained after excluding subjects reporting symptoms of res piratory infection within 3 weeks prior to the examination (regression coefficient: -0.252; SE = 0.218; P = 0.25). Conclusions. This cross-s ectional community study indicates that respiratory syncytial virus in fection or re-infection is an independent predictor for reduced lung f unction in adults of a wide age range.