Which of the following is a common sign of emphysema in patients?

A common sign of emphysema in patients is a thin body habitus. Individuals with emphysema often experience significant weight loss and muscle wasting due to the effort required for breathing and the increased energy expenditure associated with the condition. This weight loss is a result of both the chronic nature of the disease and the reduced appetite that can accompany respiratory disorders.

Emphysema primarily affects the air sacs in the lungs, leading to loss of elasticity and difficulty in exhaling air. Patients may develop a characteristic barrel-shaped chest from prolonged hyperinflation of the lungs, but many also appear thin and frail as their condition progresses. This outward appearance can be misleading, as even those who maintain a slim profile may experience severe respiratory issues.

In contrast, clubbing of fingers is generally more associated with chronic hypoxia or lung cancer rather than emphysema specifically. Bilateral wheezing, while it can occur in some patients, is not as directly characteristic of emphysema as it may be in other conditions like asthma. Fever and chills are typically signs of an infection, which is not a defining symptom of emphysema.