News Release

New research about COPD

COPD news briefs

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American College of Chest Physicians

#5530

COPD PRESCRIPTIONS NOT INFLUENCED BY TEST
(Wednesday, October 24, 11:30 AM EST)

A new study reveals that patients with COPD commonly receive the same medication prescriptions, regardless of whether or not they’ve undergone spirometry testing. Over a 1-year period, researchers from Illinois collected data from more than 100,000 veterans with COPD. While only one-quarter of those included underwent spirometry, the test did not affect the type or amount of medications prescribed.


#4866

TAI CHI FOR COPD
(Wednesday, October 24, 1:30 PM EST)

New research from Thailand suggests modified Tai Chi exercises may be helpful for COPD rehabilitation. The combination of graceful body movements and pursed-lip breathing was found to improve maximum and functional exercise capacities, and overall quality of life in patients with COPD. Researchers suggest Tai Chi training could provide an effective, inexpensive, and non-traumatic training program for such patients.


#5235

DVT & COPD ARE A HIGH RISK COMBO
(Wednesday, October 24, 1:30 PM EST)

Patients with COPD who also suffer from deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) constitute a high- risk group, according to researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Massachusetts. The study compared the demographics, symptoms, and risk factors in both DVT patients with and without COPD. Patients who suffered from both ailments were more likely to be older and male, and required more hospital resources.


#5022

LUNG FUNCTION TEST UNDERUTILIZED
(Wednesday, October 24, 11:30 AM EST)

A new study says spirometry testing is underutilized in outpatient medical clinics. The lung function test is recommended for proper diagnosis of COPD. Researchers from the University of Connecticut and St. Francis Hospital analyzed data for patients who were aged 45 or older, and were either diagnosed with COPD or asthma, a current smoker, or experiencing respiratory symptoms. Results showed that only one-third of patients received spirometry. Less than half of those diagnosed with COPD had spirometry confirmation.

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