World COPD Day: Recent updates on risk, treatment, guidance and more

November 17 is World COPD Day, which aims to raise awareness of COPD worldwide.

Recent updates and news on COPD covered by Healio include a study that highlighted a decrease in COPD admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic; a look at how short trainings may improve COPD inhaler technique; new USPSTF recommendations on COPD screening; and more.

Read these articles, and others, below, in no particular order.

Long-term employment in operating room linked with increased risk for COPD in female nurses

Female nurses who worked in the operating rooms for 15 years or more had an increased risk for developing COPD compared with nurses who never worked in an OR, according to data published in JAMA Network Open. Read more

USPSTF continues to recommend against screening for COPD in people without signs, symptoms

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted a new draft recommendation in which it continues to recommend against screening for COPD in people without signs or symptoms. Read more

Increasing temperatures linked to worsening COPD symptoms

Warmer weather was associated with worsening COPD symptoms, as early as 2 days after a rise in ambient temperature, in adults with COPD, according to new data presented at the virtual European Respiratory Society International Congress. Read more

Significant decrease in COPD admissions seen during COVID-19 pandemic

COPD admissions significantly decreased following the implementation of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data published in the American Journal of Medicine. Read more

Genetic risk, preexisting COPD may predict risk for severe COVID-19

High genetic risk and preexisting COPD are both independently associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19, researchers reported in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Read more

Many patients with COPD use inhalers incorrectly; short trainings can improve technique

In a new study, a high proportion of patients with COPD used their pressurized metered dose inhalers incorrectly, but inhaler techniques improved with short trainings in the clinic. Read more

Paradoxical bronchospasm ‘a rare and unrecognized’ phenotype of veterans with COPD, asthma

Paradoxical bronchospasm is rare and is not generally reported in spirometry test results of U.S. veterans with COPD or asthma, researchers reported at the CHEST Annual Meeting. Read more

Younger adults with COPD experience significant morbidity, excess mortality

Younger adults with COPD have elevated rates of health care utilization and excess mortality. Read more

Portable air cleaners may improve respiratory outcomes in former smokers with COPD

Portable air cleaners improved respiratory outcomes among former smokers with COPD, with the greatest benefit found in those with greater adherence and those who spent more time indoors, according to results of the CLEAN AIR STUDY. Read more

Various air pollutants, meteorological factors associated with COPD exacerbations

Researchers reported nine air pollutants and meteorological factors are associated with an increase in the incidence of COPD exacerbations, for a lag time of up to 10 days. Read more