The Impact of Exacerbations in COPD

COPD Exacerbation risk has been shown to accelerate after each exacerbation²

^*Severe exacerbations were defined as those which resulted in hospitalization with a primary discharge diagnosis of COPD²

Despite triple inhaled therapy^b, the current standard of care, many patients remain symptomatic as defined by persistent symptoms and exacerbations.¹

COPD Exacerbations may lead to accelerated lung function decline^3,c

• Loss of lung function nearly doubled³
• Irreversible lung function decline may occur after only one COPD exacerbation³

^aAdjusted for age, sex, calendar time, and the modified Chronic Disease Score.^2
bOr double inhaled therapy if ICS is contraindicated.^1
cFEV1 decline after a single moderate-to-severe exacerbation. Based on a retrospective analysis of data from 586 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD.³ 

aHR, adjusted hazard ratio; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; QoL, quality of life 

^* Type 2 inflammation defined as elevated biomarker in COPD (Blood EOS ≥300 cells/μL or ≥2%, or Sputum EOS ≥ 3%)

References

1. Halpin DMG, Dransfield MT, Han MK, et al. The effect of exacerbation history on outcomes in the IMPACT trial. Eur Respir J. 2020;55:1901921. doi:10.1183/13993003.01921-2019.

2. Suissa S, Dell’Anniello S, Ernst P. Long-term natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: severe exacerbations and mortality. Thorax. 2012;67(11):957-963.

3. Halpin DMG, Decramer M, Celli BR, Mueller A, Metzdorf N, Tashkin DP. Effect of a single exacerbation on decline in lung function in COPD. Respir Med. 2017;128:85-91.