RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPHYSEMA AND CHRONIC BRONCHITIS AS ASSESSED MORPHOLOGICALLY

Abstract

The association between chronic bronchitis and emphysema was assessed morphologically in 106 necropsies. The amount of emphysema in the lungs of these patients was assessed by one observer who divided the cases into four categories which reflected the extent and severity of destructive emphysema present. The degree of bronchial mucous gland hypertrophy was assessed by a second observer using the method described by Reid, and this was used as evidence of chronic bronchitis. The ratio of gland/wall thickness (Reid index) increased stepwise in the four groups with increasing amounts of emphysema. The increase in the index was due solely to mucous gland hypertrophy. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema occurred together more frequently than could be accounted for by chance, but they were also found to exist independently.