Top COPD updates from 2019: Occupational exposure dangers, new treatment options and more

The Healio Pulmonology Editors have compiled a list of updates in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from 2019.

See below for news on testing to reduce antibiotic use for COPD exacerbations, occupational exposure to disinfectants and COPD risk, and the promise of targeted lung denervation.

C-reactive protein testing safely reduces antibiotic use for COPD exacerbations

The use of point-of-care testing for C-reactive protein to guide treatment lessened the use of antibiotics for COPD exacerbations without worsening clinical outcomes, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Read more

Azithromycin reduces treatment failure in acute COPD exacerbations

Use of the antibiotic azithromycin on top of standard care may reduce treatment failure in high-risk patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of COPD, according to new data from the BACE trial. Read more

Occupational exposure to disinfectants may raise COPD risk

New data published in JAMA Network Open showed that the risk for COPD incidence was higher among nurses who regularly performed cleaning and disinfectant tasks. Read more

Bronchodilator testing may prevent COPD overdiagnosis

Use of spirometry with bronchodilator testing can help reduce overdiagnosis of COPD as well as help differentiate COPD from asthma and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, researchers reported at the CHEST Annual Meeting. Read more

Black lung, lung cancer, COPD on the rise in US coal miners

U.S. coal miner mortality from progressive massive fibrosis, a lethal form of black lung disease, has made a significant resurgence in recent years; however, a cause has yet to be determined, according to researchers. Read more

Targeted lung denervation safely reduces respiratory events in COPD

Among patients with COPD, targeted lung denervation in addition to optimal pharmacotherapy, as compared with pharmacotherapy alone, was associated with fewer respiratory events including exacerbations, according to data from the AIRFLOW-2 study. Read more