Top 5 Most-Read COPD Content of 2024

The top 5 most-read chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) articles on AJMC.com this year covered a range of topics, including mortality risk in patients with COPD and muscle loss phenotype (MLP), the link between gabapentinoid use and long-term acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD), and beyond.

Here are the 5 most-viewed COPD pieces of 2024.

5. Patients With COPD, Muscle Loss Phenotype Face Increased Risk of All-Cause, COPD-Related Death

An article published in April covered study findings that determined patients with COPD and MLP face higher risks of death and hospitalization. Over half (53.4%) of patients with COPD had evidence of MLP, which is characterized by reduced muscle mass or strength. The researchers discovered that these patients were about 20% more likely to be hospitalized and faced a 30% higher risk of death. Further research is needed to understand muscle loss in patients with COPD and to develop innovative treatments.

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4. Vitamin D Supplementation Linked to Reduced In-Hospital, ICU Mortality in Patients With COPD

Vitamin D supplementation may reduce in-hospital and intensive care unit mortality in patients with COPD, according to findings covered in an April article. Patients who received vitamin D supplementation had notably higher in-hospital survival rates than the non-vitamin D group. Also, subgroup analyses revealed that female patients with COPD who received vitamin D supplementation showed a reduced risk of in-hospital mortality. However, the researchers emphasized the need for further clinical trials to confirm whether vitamin D supplementation improves intensive care unit outcomes for patients with COPD.

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3. Inhaled COPD Medications Associated With Negative Postoperative Outcomes in Patients With Early-Stage NSCLC

In a study of veterans undergoing surgery for early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), investigators found that inhaled COPD medications prescribed preoperatively were associated with several adverse postoperative outcomes. This February article reported that patients with a greater number of prescribed inhaled COPD medications had a prolonged hospital length of stay, more major complications, increased 90-day mortality rates, and decreased overall survival. The researchers noted that routine assessment of each medication before elective NSCLC resection could help identify patients at risk of adverse outcomes.

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2. Gabapentinoid Use in COPD Associated With Increased Severe Exacerbation Risk, Study Says

A January article covered findings that associated gabapentinoid use with an increased risk of severe exacerbation in patients with COPD. Gabapentinoids, namely pregabalin and gabapentin, are anticonvulsant drugs used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Numerous FDA case reports documented severe breathing difficulties among those using gabapentinoids. Consequently, the researchers assessed whether gabapentinoid use was associated with severe exacerbation in patients with COPD who had an approved or off-label indication for them. They associated gabapentinoid use with increased severe COPD exacerbation risk both overall and across the 3 indications of epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and other chronic pain. The peak increase in severe exacerbation risk occurred about 6 months post-continuous gabapentinoid use.

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1. High White Blood Cell Counts Are Associated With Long-Term Acute COPD Exacerbations, Study Says

This year’s top article featured a January study, which found that patients with COPD and high baseline white blood cell counts, especially high neutrophil counts, were more likely to experience long-term AECOPD. The researchers evaluated the predictive value of white blood cell differential counts and inflammatory biomarkers for 3-year AECOPD in Korean patients, finding that higher baseline neutrophil counts, white blood cell counts, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were linked to increased AECOPD risk. The researchers emphasized the need for further prospective studies to confirm these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms.

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