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Update: COPD exacerbations speed lung function loss

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Update: COPD exacerbations speed lung function loss

Even mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations accelerate loss of lung function, according to data presented during the American Thoracic Society 2016 international conference.

Researchers analysed 2,861 patients in the COPDGene study, all of whom were current or former smokers. They collected patient-reported acute respiratory event data every six months and performed spirometry at baseline in all subjects and at follow-up after approximately five years in 1,937 patients.

The researchers defined exacerbations (COPD patients) or acute respiratory events (those without airflow obstruction) as requiring antibiotics or systemic steroids. Severe exacerbations or events required hospitalisation.

Thirty-seven per cent of patients experienced at least one exacerbation or acute respiratory event. In COPD patients each exacerbation was associated with loss of FEV1. The loss was greatest in mild COPD (GOLD 1): each exacerbation and severe exacerbation was associated with an additional 21ml and 75ml decline in FEV1 per year.

In GOLD 4 (very severe) the declines were 1ml and 12ml a year respectively. Respiratory events were not associated with FEV1 decline in subjects with no airflow obstruction.

“Our findings are particularly novel due to our large number of people with mild COPD – a group that has not been well studied in previous investigations,” said Ken Kunisaki of the Minneapolis VA health care system.

The investigators suggest additional trials to test existing and new therapies in early or mild COPD to determine if they reduce the risk of progression.

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