Tanabe N, Sato S, Tanimura K, et al. - In view of the reported association of multiple CT indices with disease progression and mortality in patients with COPD, researchers sought to determine the indices having the strongest association via performing this longitudinal 10-year observational study (n = 247). Findings suggest more close association of emphysema severity on CT with the progression of airflow limitation and a more close association of a reduction in the cross-sectional area of erector spinae muscles (ESMCSA) on CT with mortality relative to other CT indices; these associations were evident independent of patient demographics and pulmonary function. In patients with COPD, they suggest ESMCSA to be a useful CT index that is more closely linked with long-term mortality than emphysema and airway disease.