Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has described Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) as a global epidemic; an estimated 210 million people have COPD worldwide and more than 3 million people died of the condition in 2005, which is equal to 5% of all deaths globally that year.

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an assortment of lung disorders that includes...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Causes

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Process

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Management

History of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Symptoms

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Diagnosis

COPD and Sleep Apnea

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment

Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD)

Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD

Latest Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) News and Research

The impact of cannabis use on COPD and COVID-19

Researchers evaluated the effects of smoking cannabis on COVID-19 test positivity.

27 Jun 2022

Higher doses of antibiotics are needed to eliminate infection in a polymicrobial environment

A study has found that much higher doses of antibiotics are needed to eliminate a bacterial infection of the airways when other microbes are present.

19 Mar 2022

The effects of cigarette smoke and COPD on SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers have revealed some of the effects of cigarette smoke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on SARS-CoV-2 infection.

9 Dec 2020

Inhaled corticosteroids have no effect on COVID-19 mortality, say researchers

A study conducted by UK researchers has found no evidence to support the hypothesis that regular use of inhaled corticosteroids may have a beneficial effect on mortality outcomes among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

22 Jun 2020

Researchers use mouse models to explain the developmental process behind COPD

The airways and lungs are affected by a range of diseases, but while some have been well characterized and treated, others such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) are still somewhat of an enigma.

1 Feb 2019

Passive smoking exposure among kids greatly increases COPD risk late in life

According to the latest research adults who do not smoke are at a greater risk of dying of serious lung disorders if they grew up around parents who smoked. The study appeared in the latest issue of the journal American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

20 Aug 2018

Tonsil removal as a child could mean chest infections risk as adults

A large study has found that removal of the tonsils as a child can mean that the individual is more susceptible to chest infections as an adult. The study appeared in the latest issue of the journal JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.

7 Jun 2018

An inclusive approach to COPD research: an interview with Dr David Leather

About eight years ago the WHO put out a call saying that we needed data that better represented real world patients. Our ambition was to create evidence earlier in the life cycle of medicine that better represented the population that would...

11 Oct 2016

Study could lead to potential new therapeutic target with fewer side effects for hypertension

A team of Vermont investigators has been issued a patent for their discovery of a molecule that rescues damaged blood vessels, yet preserves healthy vessels and could serve as a springboard for a new pharmaceutical therapy with fewer side effects for hypertension - a major risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease that effects roughly one in three people in the U.S.

15 Mar 2016

Smokers who have COPD may face increased risk of getting small cell lung cancer

Smokers who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) may face nearly twice the risk of getting small cell lung cancer (SCLC)--the deadliest form of lung cancer--than smokers who don't have COPD, according to a large worldwide study led by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

26 Sep 2015

Despite increased life expectancy, British people suffer from more medical ailments

People in the UK are living longer but are coping with more medical ailments causing illness or disability in their older years, according to a major new international study published in The Lancet today (Thursday 27 August).

28 Aug 2015

Oxygen wristbands: an interview with Dr Gillian Lowrey

Oxygen is delivered with variable flows that administer different concentrations. National guidelines were published in 2009 that provide recommendations about prescribing the oxygen and titrating it to certain target ranges.

18 Mar 2015

Andor's Komet software used to automatically score modified 3D 'Comet' assay results

With cancer rates rising worldwide, and Cancer Research UK predicting that the lifetime risk of cancer will reach 50% by 2027, the need for early diagnosis is overwhelming. Now, a British research group has published details of a simple empirical test to detect any early-stage cancer, relying on Andor's Komet software to automatically score the modified 3D 'Comet' assay results.

From Andor Technology Ltd. 11 Dec 2014

Epicure project: an interview with Frédéric Cren

Epicure is a project led by Inventiva and Institut Curie that aims to deliver pre-clinical candidates on two novel epigenetic targets that have been selected due to their potential to activate immune responses against cancer cells. In addition one of these two targets has potential in respiratory indications such as asthma or COPD.

3 Nov 2014

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease flare-ups: an interview with Dr. MeiLan Han, University of Michigan and Scott Cerreta, Director of Education, COPD Foundation

During a flare-up, symptoms of a patient’s COPD worsen significantly, and breathing becomes more difficult. A persistent increase in shortness of breath, cough and sputum production are typical symptoms.

30 Jul 2014

3D scaffolds bring hope for lung regeneration

In end-stage lung disease, transplantation is sometimes the only viable therapeutic option, but organ availability is limited and rejection presents an additional challenge.

10 Mar 2014

COPD treatments: an interview with Professor Price, University of Aberdeen

The first thing is that we can’t cure COPD. The problem we have with COPD is that the process itself is not treatable, certainly not once it gets to the extent that it’s advanced.

22 Oct 2013

COPD investigational treatments: an interview with Dr. Tunde Otulana, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Olodaterol is a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) bronchodilator delivered via the Respimat® inhaler. It is being investigated as a once daily maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

21 Oct 2013

European Commission and Japan approve once-daily dual bronchodilator Ultibro Breezhaler (QVA149) nearly simultaneously, for COPD patients

Novartis announced today that the European Commission approved once-daily Ultibro® Breezhaler® (indacaterol 85 mcg / glycopyrronium 43 mcg) as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved once-daily Ultibro® Inhalation Capsules (glycopyrronium 50 mcg / indacaterol 110 mcg), delivered through the Breezhaler® device, for relief of various symptoms due to airway obstruction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ultibro® Breezhaler® / Ultibro® Inhalation Capsules were developed under the name QVA149.

23 Sep 2013

Improved lung function in patients with moderate asthma severity observed with investigational Tiotropium

Boehringer Ingelheim will present a pooled analysis of new data from the Phase 3 UniTinA-asthma® program at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress 2013 in Barcelona. The data from the individual MezzoTinA-asthma® Phase 3 studies (NCT01340209 and NCT00565266), from which the pooled data are derived, show the addition of tiotropium delivered via the Respimat® inhaler to medium-dose maintenance inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy (defined as 400-800 µg budesonide/day or equivalent) improved lung function and provided sustained bronchodilation over 24 hours in patients with moderate asthma and airflow limitation. Tiotropium is being investigated to determine the medicine’s efficacy in treating asthma patients and is not currently approved for this indication.

11 Sep 2013