Patients need additional education on proper inhaler use to improve outcomes
MIAMI (August 20, 2024) - Inhaler misuse leading to inadequate medication delivery impacts a person's ability to manage symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and additional education about proper inhaler use is needed to improve health outcomes, according to two new articles. The articles are published in the July 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by irritants like smoke or pollution and genetics. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor. Symptoms, which include breathlessness, fatigue, and chronic cough, are primarily treated using inhaled medications.
In a new study, "Prevalence of Critical Errors and Insufficient Peak Inspiratory Flow in Patients Hospitalized With COPD in a Department of General Internal Medicine: A Cross-Sectional Study," the authors examined how often inhalers were misused by patients hospitalized with COPD over the course of nine months at Fribourg Hospital in Switzerland.
Inhaler misuse was categorized as either a critical error in inhalation technique or insufficient peak inspiratory flow. These errors result in a lesser dose of medication reaching the person's lungs, which impacts the person's ability to manage their symptoms and can lead to increased exacerbations.
"Misuse of inhalers is common, and in our study, we found that approximately two-thirds of inhalers were misused," said Gaël Grandmaison, M.D., an assistant physician in internal medicine at University and Hospital of Fribourg in Fribourg, Switzerland. "If an inhaler was misused, a physiotherapist conducted up to three teaching sessions with the patient. These sessions helped reduce the number of critical errors in inhaler use. However, despite this education, more than one in 10 inhalers continued to be used suboptimally, either due to an inability to generate sufficient inspiratory effort or because the inhaler was unsuitable for the patient's characteristics. These results highlight the importance of regular therapeutic education, assessing the patient's ability to generate a sufficient inspiratory effort, and selecting an inhaler suited to the patient's characteristics."
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Population health-based action plan suggests ways to mitigate negative impacts of poor air quality
MIAMI (August 14, 2024) - Communities impacted by increased wildfire activity and smoke can use a population health-based action plan to help alleviate health risks, particularly for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, according to a new perspective article. The article is published in the July 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
COPD is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke and pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and chronic cough.
This new perspective article examined the five-part Population Health Approach enacted by the University of California, Davis Health (UCDH). UCDH is located at the epicenter of one of California's largest wildfires, and the state's fire season currently lasts up to 6 months of the year.
"Air pollutants from wildfires negatively affect everyone and are particularly dangerous for those with respiratory diseases like COPD and asthma as the pollutants increase lung inflammation," said Reshma Gupta, M.D., MSHPM, Chief of Population Health and Accountable Care at UCDH and co-author of the study. "As the regional academic center for Northern California, our team routinely sees the negative health outcomes of wildfire smoke. This approach uses new technologies and population health methods to identify those at risk of wildfire smoke-induced health complications and to put interventions in place to mitigate the negative impact of poor air quality on the community."
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MIAMI & CLEVELAND (August 6, 2024) - The COPD Foundation has established a new partnership with Clean Air Dynamics, a leader in air quality solutions offering medical-grade and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared air disinfection technology. The collaboration highlights the importance of clean air in the lives of individuals with chronic lung diseases.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Clean air is essential for managing COPD and improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with respiratory diseases.
Both indoor and outdoor air pollution can exacerbate symptoms in people with respiratory diseases. Research indicates that using air purifiers to clean tiny particles of mold, dust, or pollen from indoor air can help alleviate COPD symptoms. These harmful particles can cause swelling in the lungs, which can worsen cough, breathing problems, and congestion.
"Breathing clean air is important for everyone's health, but it is particularly vital for those with chronic lung diseases," said Jean Wright, M.D., MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation. "Ensuring access to cleaner air can reduce respiratory symptoms and improve overall health outcomes. This partnership will focus on raising awareness about the importance of air quality and steps to help individuals with chronic lung disease reduce their exposure to pollutants."
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As an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the COPD Foundation recognizes the critical importance of including patient perspectives in the review processes for new medical treatments. Our approach to the collaboration with ICER on the review of ensifentrine exemplifies how patient perspectives can inform and enhance a value assessment process.
Over the course of ICER's review of ensifentrine, the COPD Foundation provided patient-centric, evidence-based comments and feedback each step of the way. On June 14, ICER held a virtual public meeting where an independent council deliberated on the clinical effectiveness, broader benefits, long-term value, and policy considerations for the new therapy. The inclusion of COPD Foundation Board members Valerie Chang and Phyliss DiLorenzo ensured that the patient voice on these topics was heard loud and clear. Their contributions helped to underscore the daily challenges faced by patients and highlighted the potential benefits of new medications.
We believe the insights provided by the COPD Foundation and its members have contributed meaningfully to ICER's evaluation and appreciate the opportunity to help deliver patient perspectives.
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MIAMI (August 2, 2024) - Bronchiectasis and NTM 360, a division of the COPD Foundation, joins other global patient advocacy organizations, professional societies and lung health experts for the second annual World NTM Awareness Day on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are naturally occurring bacteria in the environment, commonly found in soil and natural and treated water. While NTM can affect anyone's lungs, those with suppressed immune systems or other pulmonary diseases are particularly vulnerable. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are 16 times more likely to develop NTM lung disease.
NTM lung disease causes a person's airways to produce or retain extra mucus and, over time, can widen and scar the airways. Symptoms can include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weight loss. It is estimated that more than 200,000 people in the United States have NTM lung disease, with the number of new cases increasing 8% annually.
World NTM Awareness Day, established by NTM Info & Research, seeks to increase access to patient resources, education and early detection of NTM lung disease. Bronchiectasis and NTM 360 offers various educational materials for both health care providers and people living with NTM lung disease, their families and caregivers, including an NTM info sheet, educational videos with lung disease experts, an NTM Management Tool, and an online support community.
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COPD Foundation will share resources, information with fans at select games in August
MIAMI (August 1, 2024) - The COPD Foundation is partnering with four Minor League Baseball teams to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during the 2024 season.
COPD is a chronic, progressive lung disease affecting more than 30 million Americans. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough and fatigue. It comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics or irritants like smoke or pollution.
"More than 32 million fans will attend a minor league baseball game this season. Similarly, that same number of Americans have COPD, representing 1 in 8 people over 45 years old," said Jean Wright, M.D., MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation. "In fact, roughly half of those people with COPD are unaware they have the disease. Community outreach partnerships allow us to encourage people to talk to their primary care provider if they are experiencing COPD symptoms and to get the appropriate medical care."
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Third annual awareness event occurs July 1, 2024
MIAMI (June 27, 2024) - Bronchiectasis and NTM 360, a division of the COPD Foundation, joins with more than 20 global patient advocacy organizations and professional societies to recognize the third annual World Bronchiectasis Day on Monday, July 1, 2024.
Bronchiectasis is a lesser-known chronic lung disease characterized by enlarged airways that are thickened and/or scarred. These permanently widened airways lead to a buildup of mucus and impaired clearance of bacteria from the lungs. Symptoms include frequent coughing with mucus, breathlessness, fatigue and unexplained fever and chills. It is estimated that more than 1 million people are diagnosed with bronchiectasis worldwide, and of those, 340,000 to 522,000 are adults in the U.S.
This year's World Bronchiectasis Day is focused on bronchiectasis research and the importance of participation in clinical trials, how research can impact innovation in bronchiectasis diagnosis and treatment and how registries work to aid research efforts.
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New study examines possible connection between levels of plasma omega-3 and symptoms of COPD
MIAMI (June 25, 2024) - An increased level of plasma omega-3 fatty acids may help decrease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups and improve the quality of life for those with the lung disease, according to a new study. The study is published in the May 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal.
COPD is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and chronic cough. People with COPD can also experience exacerbations, or flare-ups, where the person's breathing, cough or mucus production is worse than usual and may not respond as well to medications.
This new study examined whether there was a relationship between plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels and the occurrence of moderate COPD exacerbations, as well as respiratory-specific quality of life. Omega-3 fatty acids have previously been connected to anti-inflammatory responses.
"In our study cohort, we found that higher plasma omega-3 levels were connected to a decreased risk for moderate exacerbations, as well as better respiratory quality of life, particularly for people with moderate to severe COPD," said Nadia N. Hansel, M.D., MPH, a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and senior author of the study. "Examining plasma omega-3 gives us more accurate data than when examining self-reported dietary intake of omega-3 and helps reduce the burden on study participants to recall their food consumption."
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Foundation emphasizes need to protect youth from e-cigarette risks
MIAMI & NEW YORK, (June 21, 2024) - The COPD Foundation has expressed concerns following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to rescind the marketing denial orders (MDOs) previously issued to JUUL Labs, Inc. The Foundation emphasizes the importance of protecting youth from the potential harms of e-cigarettes while recognizing the use of these products for adult smokers aiming to quit traditional cigarettes.
In June 2022, the FDA issued MDOs for JUUL products due to insufficient evidence regarding their safety and concerns about harmful effects. These concerns were rooted in conflicting data on potential toxicity and chemicals leaching from JUUL's e-liquid pods. The FDA paused these denials in July 2022 to conduct further scientific reviews and in June 2024, rescinded the MDOs to resume comprehensive evaluations of JUUL's applications.
"While we understand the need for the FDA to thoroughly review e-cigarette products, we remain deeply concerned about the significant rise in youth vaping," said Jean Wright, M.D., MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation. "Many adults looking to quit traditional cigarettes use vaping and e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, but it is crucial that any decision regarding the marketing of these products rigorously considers the potential impact on young people.
The FDA has approved only 23 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products for sale in the United States, yet manufacturers are still flooding the market with thousands of illegal candy-flavored options. The popularity of JUUL products among youth has led to increased nicotine addiction in this vulnerable population. Protecting our youth from the dangers of nicotine and ensuring that these products are not marketed to them should remain a top priority.
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Prevalence of COPD is higher in LGBTQ+ Communities
MIAMI (June 20, 2024) - Increased research, smoking cessation efforts, and education about lung health are needed to address the increased prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in sexual and gender minority communities, according to two new articles. The articles are published in the May 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by irritants like smoke or pollution and genetics. The disease affects an estimated 30 million Americans, yet only about half are aware that they have the disease. Studies have shown that LGBTQ+ populations have higher rates of tobacco smoking, putting them at a higher risk of developing COPD.
In a perspective piece, "From Invisibility to Inclusion: A Call to Action to Address COPD Disparities in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ Community," the authors conducted a literature review of COPD in LGBTQ+ populations and found eight studies that examined the prevalence of COPD in various groups of the LGBTQ+ community. All eight studies determined there was an increased occurrence of COPD within the studied groups when compared to heterosexual and/or cisgender populations.
"Although the prevalence of COPD has been shown to be higher in the LGBTQ+ community, we need current research and prevention efforts to actively address the issue," said Ninad T. Maniar, M.D., a pulmonologist and critical care physician at Medstar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. "We propose a three-part call to action: increased education about COPD and the risk of tobacco smoke, expanded COPD prevention and intervention efforts including the development of culturally sensitive smoking cessation resources and focused research on COPD in LGBTQ+ populations. These efforts can help improve the health of these marginalized communities - now and in the future."
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FDA has qualified the first digital endpoint for clinical trials
MIAMI (June 18, 2024) - The COPD Foundation is collaborating with the Digital Health Measurement Collaborative Community (DATAcc) by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) on a new project aimed at increasing the use of digital endpoints in clinical trials.
In health care and clinical research, an endpoint is an outcome used to assess the effectiveness of a treatment or intervention. It is a specific measure that a study aims to investigate, helping to determine if a treatment is effective and safe and guiding clinical and regulatory decisions.
Digital endpoints are health outcomes collected outside of a clinic using wearable sensors, mobile apps and other digital health technologies. They are used in patient care and clinical trials to provide a complete health assessment with real-time data in a person's own environment. Examples of digital endpoints include sleep quality, steps per day and heart rate.
Under the Medical Device Development Tools (MDDT) program, the FDA has qualified the first digital endpoint for clinical trials, exemplifying the growing adoption of digital health measures. This is a long-awaited big win for digital clinical measures in clinical trials - it will revolutionize how outcomes are measured, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in research.
The COPD Foundation is a partner on the DATAcc by DiMe's "Building the Business Case for Digital Endpoints" project, which is working to develop ways to measure the value and effectiveness of using digital endpoints. Implementing digital endpoints benefits people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by continuously monitoring their condition, providing data on exacerbations (flare-ups) and other symptoms over time. Mobile technology enables more people, including those in rural areas, to participate in clinical research. COPD affects more than 30 million Americans, and approximately two million of those are in rural locations.
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Cedar Rapids, Iowa resident races weekly at Hawkeye Downs Speedway
MIAMI & CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (June 13, 2024) - Teen race car driver Maddox Rowley is using his weekly races at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to help others by raising awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The 18-year-old from Cedar Rapids is only in his second year of racing, but he's already making a difference and raising awareness through his racing. Rowley sees the value of using his platform to bring attention to a cause that is personal to him.
"I've seen other drivers' cars wrapped for different organizations and nonprofits," Rowley said. "I knew that if I was going to advocate for something, I wanted it to be connected to me. A close family friend had COPD and later passed away. I had a memorial for him on my car for a while, and then I decided I wanted to take it one step further this year and make it bigger by putting the COPD Foundation logo on my car to help spread awareness."
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet it is estimated roughly half of those with the disease remain undiagnosed.
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