Paper II
Question
Reid index is diagnostic of
Answer
Correct answer: a) Chronic bronchitis
The Reid index is the ratio of the thickness of the submucosal mucous gland layer to the thickness of the bronchial wall (between the epithelium and cartilage). It is increased (normally ~0.4, elevated beyond this in disease) in chronic bronchitis, reflecting mucous gland hyperplasia caused by chronic irritant (e.g., cigarette smoke) exposure.