Blood viscosity is associated with smoking status rather than the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary…

Cohort studyRespiratory research· Aug 2026

Blood viscosity is associated with smoking status rather than the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings from the Korea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS).

Ye Jin Lee, Hye-Rin Kang, Sang Hyuk Kim … Youlim Kim

Pulmonology & Critical CareCohort studyQ1IF 5.3

Smoking status, not chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is linked to higher blood viscosity.

Blood viscosity is associated with smoking status rather than the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings from the Korea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS).

Ye Jin Lee … Youlim Kim

Respiratory research · Aug 2026

Background

The relationship between smoking and blood viscosity is well established.

Purpose

Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association of blood viscosity with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung function decline, independent of smoking status.

Methods

Data from 292 participants in the Korea chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Subgroup Study (Korea COPD Subgroup Study), a multicenter prospective cohort, were analyzed.

n = 292 participants

Results

Ever-smokers' blood viscosity (9.2) was higher than never-smokers' (8.4), regardless of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

9

Ever smokers with COPD

9.2

Ever smokers without C

8.7

Never smokers with COP

8.4

Never smokers without

More results

Of the 292 participants, 93 (31.8%) patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ever smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were older than never smokers and predominantly male.

More results

Never smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reported the highest scores for the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Blood viscosity appeared to be more closely associated with smoking-related hemorheological changes than with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Its potential as a predictive biomarker for lung function decline appears to be limited, necessitating further long-term investigation.

Blood viscosity is associated with smoking status rather than the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings from the Korea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS).

Blood viscosity is associated with smoking status rather than the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings from the Korea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS).

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