Patients with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRIsm) have higher incidence rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, few studies focused on PRIsm in China. We determined the prevalence and characteristics of patients with PRIsm in Chinese population. We also aimed to investigate the significant predictive factors of CVD in PRIsm patients.

In total, 6994 subjects aged from 35 to 70 years old and free of CVD at baseline were categorized into normal (n = 3895), PRIsm (the ratio of forced expired volume in the first second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥0.7 and FEV1 <80 % predicted; n = 1997) and obstructive spirometry (FEV1:FVC<0.7; n = 1102). Cox proportional hazards multivariable regression was performed to investigate how baseline characteristics impact CVD incidence.

In participants with PRIsm, men had a 0.68-fold higher risk of CVD incidence than women (HR, 1.68; 95%CI, 1.09–2.59; p  = 0.020). Our study showed that the rate of CVD incidence increased by 6.0 % with every year's increase in age (HR, 1.06; 95%CI, 1.04–1.09; p   <  0.001). A 0.1 increase in FEV1/FVC was significantly associated with a 23.0 % decrease in CVD incidence (HR, 0.77; 95%CI, 0.61–0.97; p  = 0.028). Family history of CVD greatly increased the risk of cardiovascular disease incidence (HR, 1.83; 95%CI, 1.18–2.83; p  = 0.007). Higher BMI was also a significant risk factor of CVD incidence (HR, 1.06; 95%CI, 1.01–1.10; p  = 0.013).

The prevalence of PRIsm in China was high. PRIsm subjects should be monitored carefully, especially for the older, male, those with higher BMI, lower FEV1/FVC and family history of CVD.