Multiple direct and indirect pathways increase risk of lung disease exacerbations during heat waves. Community preparedness and advocacy are needed, particularly to address greater adverse effects on vulnerable populations.

New US study shows that COPD confers a 1.9-fold higher risk of intensive care unit admission or in-hospital mortality in adults hospitalized with RSV #virus #RSV

COPD patient survey shows that >20% of patients are not on maintenance therapy; leading reasons include that their COPD was not severe enough, and that their doctors had not recommended it. Action is needed for more effective and timely disease management. @COPDFoundation

Airway mucus plugs were previously associated with increased risk of exacerbations and mortality in COPD. Now, persistent and newly formed mucus plugs.are associated with a faster decrease in lung function (FEV1) in this disease. @NEJM

Newly proposed diagnostic schema for COPD using major and minor criteria classifies individuals as having this disease beyond airflow limitation and identifies individuals at increased risk for poor outcomes. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.7358 @JAMA_current

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an evidence-based, personalized, comprehensive intervention that improves physical and psychological function and reduces healthcare consumption in people with chronic respiratory conditions #PRweek2025 #COPD

Almost 31% of persons hospitalized with severe RSV infection has underlying COPD and in-hospital mortality in this group may be as high as 18%. Preventive vaccins are available but need to be implemented.

Targeting T2 inflammation or epithelial-derived alarmins represents a step forward in precision medicine for the treatment of a subset of COPD.

Theoretical framework illustrating the potential impact of body composition on COPD exacerbation risk; from our latest editorial in @RespirologyAPSR @Machado_FVC

Hard to comprehend and even harder to accept: a 46.3%, or 35 year (!), loss of life expectancy in the Gaza Strip during the period October, 2023, to September, 2024. Touched by this @TheLancet paper.

New meta-analysis shows a significant 20% reduction in all-cause mortality with ICS-containing therapies versus non-ICS containing inhaler therapies in COPD. Future research should identify patient subgroups most likely to benefit while minimizing adverse effects.

The worldwide prevalence of shortness of breath in adults is approx. 14%, with a wide variation across sites. Furthermore, it is strongly associated with spirometric obstruction and restriction. #BOLD

PDE3 and PDE4 contribute to inflammation and airway smooth muscle contraction, that is evident in conditions such as COPD. Dual inhibition of these enzymes may provide clinical benefit to a broad range of patients with COPD and represents a promising new treatment strategy.

Proposal for the management of cardiovascular risk factors and disease in patients with COPD

Epidemiological study reports no association between inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (except heart failure) in COPD. Thus, potential ICS-related cardioprotection remains to be established. @ThoraxBMJ Inhaled corticosteroids and major

Impact of home non-invasive ventilation in chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD. Initiation of home noninvasive ventilation in hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: when, where, and how? - PubMed (

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are poorly related to clinical measures in severe asthma, but PROMs are prone to changes in usual care, with exacerbations playing a key role. #asthma

Our latest study is now online in @JAMANetworkOpen, reporting on the limited estimative performance of exacerbation (ECOPD) history categories by GOLD. Novel cutoffs based on a history of 1 or more moderate ECOPD, 1 or more severe ECOPD, or both within 12 months are suggested.

Low birth weight is associated with increased risk of COPD, but also has interactions with maternal smoking, older age and passive smoking. Low birth weight and smoking during pregnancy have a joint effect.