This groundbreaking research offers a comprehensive analysis of lung nodule prevalence in a non-smoking, Northern European cohort, challenging previous assumptions based primarily on high-risk, heavy smoker groups. Prof. dr. Rozemarijn Vliegenthart is involved in this study. The results are published in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
The study involved 10,431 participants from the Imaging in LifeLines (ImaLife) study, focusing on establishing reference values for imaging biomarkers in coronary artery disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among these, 56.6% were women, with a median age of 60.4 years. The cohort included both never smokers (46.1%) and former smokers (53.9%).
Low-dose CT exams revealed that 42% of participants had at least one lung nodule, with the prevalence increasing with age. Clinically relevant nodules (6 to 8 mm) were found in 11.1% of participants, with men more likely than women to have multiple nodules. These findings were unexpected, aligning closely with high-risk smoking populations.
The high prevalence of lung nodules in a population including a significant proportion of never smokers was unexpected. These results parallel those found in high-risk smoking populations, suggesting potential underlying risk factors unrelated to smoking.
For researchers, these results underscore the importance of re-evaluating diagnostic management guidelines for lung nodules in non-smokers. The data suggests a need for tailored follow-up protocols to avoid unnecessary examinations, given that the incidence of lung cancer in this group remains low (0.3%).
This study provides critical foundational data that can inform future research and clinical practices, emphasizing the rising importance of lung nodule awareness and management in non-smokers. Further investigation is needed to refine guidelines and improve patient outcomes in this demographic.
