SUMMARYFifty-six male patients with pulmonary emphysema were followed for a minimum period of three years (range 3–13), to observe the effects of smoking and smoking withdrawal. The subjects were divided into smokers (Group S) and ex-smokers (Group EX-S). Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV, ) and vital capacity (VC) declined at a significantly (p<0.001) faster rate in those who continued to smoke than in ex-smokers. No significant difference between the two groups was observed for kCO (permeability coefficient) and PaO2(arterial oxygen tension). There was a significant (p<0.001) difference between the two groups in the annual change in body weight. We conclude that all patients with emphysema, even those with advanced disease, should be encouraged to stop smokin
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