Opina MTD, et al. - In this secondary analysis, researchers analyzed a prospective cohort (the Health, Aging and Body Composition study) in order to determine how all-cause mortality is influenced by respiratory symptoms in current and former smokers with and without obstructive lung disease (OLD). Participants were black and white men and women aged 70-79 years with a history of current and former smoking (N = 596; 63% male and 37% female) who were followed for 13 years. Depending on symptoms and forced expiratory volume in the 1st second to forced vital capacity ratio, four groups were defined: Less Dyspnea-No OLD (N = 196), More Dyspnea-No OLD (N = 104), Less Dyspnea-With OLD (N = 162), and More Dyspnea-With OLD (N = 134). Within the 13-year follow up duration, the deaths of 53% in Less Dyspnea-No OLD, 63% in More Dyspnea-No OLD, 67% in Less Dyspnea-With OLD, and 84% in More Dyspnea-With OLD were reported. For cases with OLD, both with and without dyspnea, the highest hazard ratio was documented. Findings revealed a link of OLD with a high risk of mortality with varying risk profiles depending on the symptom group. Experts recommended considering patients with symptoms of shortness of breath without OLD as an at-risk group as these people exhibited similar mortality to those with OLD with minimal symptoms.