Autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) is the method for early detection of lung carcinoma. The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of AFB in high-risk population. Methods: 160 smokers with cigarette exposure higher than 30 pack-years and with FEV1 lower than 70% of predicted value scheduled for bronchoscopy as a part of standard diagnostic workup were examined. AFB with Onco-LIFE system (Xillix) followed after standard white light bronchoscopy (WLB). Biopsies were obtained from positive or suspicious areas in WLB or AFB and also from areas with normal appearance. Samples were examined histologically. Results: From 332 biopsies taken 276 were satisfactory for analysis. Normal bronchial mucosa, inflammation, hyperplasia/ squamous metaplasia and mild dysplasia were found in 227 (82.2%) biopsies, which were classified as negative. Moderate/severe dysplasia (4), carcinoma in-situ (1) and invasive carcinoma (44) were classified as positive. The overall histology based sensitivity and specificity was 95.9% and 92.1% for WLB and 95.9% and 85% for AFB respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of premalignant changes of bronchial mucosa in studied population is low and its detection is not improved by the use of AFB.

        Key words: autofluorescence bronchoscopy – lung cancer