Exacerbation-free COPD: A goal too far?

Stephen I. Rennard, Tim Higenbottam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The seventh Lund COPD workshop focused on exacerbations. As chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progresses, exacerbations, events characterized by acute worsening of symptoms, increase in frequency and severity. Patients fear their occurrence, as they compromise function and quality of life, may require admission to the hospital, and can be fatal. There are therapies that improve outcome of exacerbations, such as antibiotics and corticosteroids. More importantly, some treatments, such as regular inhaled bronchodilator therapy (particularly with long-acting agents), inhaled corticosteroids, and vaccination against influenza virus, can partially prevent attacks. However, exacerbations remain a challenge, as no therapy effectively banishes them. The current symposium, "Exacerbation-free COPD, a goal too far?", was designed to address this problem. The challenge addressed by the participants was whether more effective treatments could be developed that could further eliminate COPD exacerbations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)583-585
Number of pages3
JournalProceedings of the American Thoracic Society
Volume4
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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