Table 3.
Comparison of the characteristics of adult patients tested for AAT during the study period according to AAT levels
| Variable | Normal AAT levels (n=10,445) | Intermediate deficiency (n=607) | Severe deficiency (n=22) | Total (n=11,074) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, mean (SD) | 52.9 (16.3) | 48.0 (14.4)** | 42.5 (15.7)** | 52.6 (16.3) |
| Sex (males) | 5,756 (55.1) | 377 (62.1)** | 14 (63.6) | 6,147 (55.5) |
| Smoker | 2,219 (21.2) | 113 (18.6) | 7 (31.8) | 2,339 (21.1) |
| Former smoker | 1,668 (16) | 101 (16.6) | 3 (13.6) | 1,772 (16) |
| AAT (mg/dL), mean (SD) | 150.9 (34.2) | 87.6 (10.8) | 27.6 (11.6) | 147.2 (36.7) |
| Previous diseases related to AATD | ||||
| COPD | 937 (9) | 34 (5.6)* | 6 (27.3)* | 977 (8.8) |
| Emphysema | 193 (1.8) | 14 (2.3) | 4 (18.2)** | 211 (1.9) |
| Chronic bronchitis | 293 (2.8) | 14 (2.3) | 0 | 307 (2.8) |
| Bronchiectasis | 284 (2.7) | 11 (1.8) | 0 | 295 (2.7) |
| Asthma | 794 (7.6) | 45 (7.4) | 3 (13.6) | 842 (7.6) |
| Hepatitis | 768 (7.4) | 32 (5.3) | 1 (4.5) | 801 (7.2) |
| Cirrhosis | 127 (1.2) | 3 (0.5) | 0 | 130 (1.2) |
| Hepatocarcinoma | 4 (0) | 0 | 0 | 4 (0) |
| High transaminase levels | 5,430 (52) | 313 (51.6) | 8 (36.4) | 5,751 (51.9) |
| Previous respiratory infections | 3,486 (33.8) | 162 (26.6)* | 9 (40.9) | 3,657 (33.02) |
| Previous pneumonia | 136 (1.6) | 5 (0.8) | 1 (4.5) | 142 (1.3) |
| Hypertension | 2,908 (27.8) | 126 (20.8)** | 2 (9.1)* | 3,036 (27.4) |
| Dyslipidemia | 2,901 (27.8) | 158 (26) | 2 (9.1)* | 3,061 (27.6) |
| DM | 1,247 (11.9) | 44 (7.2)** | 1 (4.5) | 1,292 (11.7) |
| Depression | 1,070 (10.2) | 51 (8.4) | 2 (9.1) | 1,123 (10.1) |
| Ischemic heart disease | 428 (4.1) | 13 (2.1)** | 0 | 441 (4) |
Notes:
*
P<0.05 and
**
P<0.01 compared to individuals with normal AAT levels. Data are expressed as n (%) unless specified otherwise.
Abbreviations: AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin; AATD, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency; DM, diabetes mellitus.