Buendia-Roldan I, Palma-Lopez A, Chan-Padilla D, et al. - Researchers performed this transversal, observational, case-control study to assess the frequency as well as risk factors related to emphysema in respiratory asymptomatic individuals enrolled in the Lung Aging Program. A comparison was performed between 29 people (4%) having emphysematous changes, determined on high-resolution computed tomography, vs 87 controls. Participants having subclinical pulmonary emphysema were noted to be older, and mainly smoker males with low BMI, and despite being asymptomatic, two of them were shown to have a reduction of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), with a lower FEV₁/forced vital capacity indicating airway obstruction. The factors that conferred risk for the occurrence of lung emphysematous changes were: cigarette smoking, family history of lung disease and lower BMI. Overall, findings revealed the presence of pulmonary emphysema in a small but important percentage of older individuals without respiratory symptoms. The likely contribution of smoking exposure and genetic background to etiological factors was also suggested.