Principal Investigator: Holger Schünemann, MD, PhD

Funding Agency: American Lung Association

Period: 7/1/02 - 6/30/04

Abstract: There is very strong evidence that decreased pulmonary function predicts all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in the general population. Scientists have focused attention on factors that determine pulmonary function; among them the role of oxidants and antioxidants, alcohol intake, anthropometric features and, more recently, markers of insulin resistance. The current research project focuses on the clinical epidemiology of pulmonary function and investigate the relation between these factors and pulmonary function measured by the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). This research could improve our understanding of the role of antioxidant vitamin intake, other lifestyle factors and physiologic variables as determinants of lung function and airway obstruction.