Hakan Gunen, Nurdan Kokturk, Sibel Naycı, Sevket Ozkaya, Birsen Pınar Yıldız, Onur Turan, Aziz Gumus, Metin Akgun, Alev Gurgun, Candan Ogus, Arzu Mirici, Elif Sen, Nazan Bayram, Volkan Eken, Hakan Erkus
Purpose: GOLD 2019 proposed a novel treatment decision tool for follow-up based on the predominant trait (exacerbation or dyspnea) of patients, alongside treatment escalation and de-escalation strategies. This study was designed to provide an up-to-date snapshot of patient and disease characteristics, treatment pathways, and healthcare resource use (HRU) in COPD in real life, and comprehensively examine patients considering GOLD 2019 recommendations. Patients and Methods: This mixed design, observational, multicenter (14 pulmonology clinics) study included all patients with a documented COPD diagnosis (excluding asthma-COPD overlap [ACO]) for ≥12 months, aged ≥40 years at diagnosis who had a COPD-related hospital visit, spirometry test and blood eosinophil count (BEC) measurement under stable conditions within the 12 months before enrollment between February and December 2020...
2022: International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease