Year in Review: COPD 2020

ATS: Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Pharmacologic Management of COPD

The American Thoracic Society has released a new clinical practice guideline on the pharmacologic management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Does Antiplatelet Therapy Have a Role in COPD Treatment?

Antiplatelet therapy may delay progression of COPD, decrease the risk for acute exacerbations, improve quality of life, and even reduce all-cause mortality.

Oral Sustained-Release Morphine May Improve Moderate, Severe Breathlessness in COPD

The use of regular, low-dose, oral sustained-release morphine for 4 weeks in patients with COPD and moderate to very severe breathlessness has been shown to improve disease-specific health status.

Interstitial Lung Abnormalities Linked to Clinical Course in COPD

In patients with COPD, interstitial lung abnormalities are significantly associated with moderate to severe acute disease exacerbations and with an accelerated decline in lung function.

First-in-Class Dual PDE Inhibitor Plus Tiotropium May Improve Lung Function in COPD

Nebulized ensifentrine, when added to tiotropium, produced clinically meaningful and significant improvements in lung function and quality of life in patients with COPD.

Tissue Doppler Imaging Can Detect Left Ventricular Dysfunction in COPD

In patients with COPD, subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction is likely to be detected when measured by tissue Doppler imaging, even in patients without pulmonary hypertension.

Dysanapsis May Be a Risk Factor for COPD in Older Adults

Dysanapsis may be associated with a higher incidence of COPD in older adults.

Single-Inhaler Therapy vs Multiple-Inhaler Triple Therapy Outcomes in COPD

In patients with COPD, treatment with single-inhaler fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol resulted in more health status improvements and greater lung function benefit compared with multiple-inhaler triple therapy.

Lifestyle Program Pilot Tested for Obese Individuals With COPD-Linked Dyspnea

An 8-week, feasible, novel lifestyle program was pilot-tested to evaluate its effectiveness in improving dyspnea in patients with chronic respiratory disease and obesity.

Risk of COPD In-Hospital Mortality Linked to Atrial Fibrillation

In patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation, the presence of atrial fibrillation may increase the risk of in-hospital mortality.

Home Noninvasive PPV May Improve Certain Outcomes in COPD

In patients with COPD and hypercapnia, the use of home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation compared with no device was significantly associated with improved clinical outcomes but no significant differences in quality of life.

COPD With Chronic Cough Linked to Increased Healthcare Utilization

Patients with COPD with comorbid chronic cough experienced more wheezing, dyspnea, chest pain, acute pneumonias, and provider visits than those without chronic cough.

Bronchiectasis Progression in COPD Associated With Preventable Risk Factors

Several risk factors were identified for bronchiectasis progression in patients with COPD.

Vitamin D Deficiency Associated With Worsening Lung Function in COPD

In patients with COPD, a deficiency in vitamin D was associated with worsening lung function and disease exacerbations.

Risk of COPD Worsening Reduced With ICS/LABA Combination

An inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting β2-agonist combination of budesonide and formoterol reduced the risk for clinically important deterioration in patients with COPD.

Improvements Proposed for the Updated GOLD Recommendations on COPD

Although the 2020 updates to the GOLD recommendations on COPD management have provided more clarity regarding treatment, additional recommendations on diagnostic tools are needed.

Pneumonia Risk in COPD Increases With Lower Eosinophils and Bacterial Infection

Patients with both COPD and chronic bacterial infection who had <100 circulating eosinophils/µL were at high risk of developing pneumonia.

COPD Subtype Classification: Analysis of the COPDGene Study

Continuous evaluation of participants in the COPDGene study will provide useful insights that will enable better identification of disease subtypes.

Increased Nutrient Intake Linked With Decreased COPD Severity in Elderly Men

Among elderly men with COPD, proper intake of fiber, protein, carbohydrate, vitamin C, niacin, and riboflavin was associated with less severe airway impairment.

COPD Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Mortality: Differences Between Women and Men

Women were more likely than men to be diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and had more frequent exacerbations.