Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are the most common types of obstructive lung disease. Earlier research has shown that people with both conditions might have a higher chance of serious flare-ups that lead to hospitalization.

In this study, we used data from a national hospital database to compare adults with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or both. We found that patients with both conditions stayed in the hospital longer and had higher costs, but were less likely to die than those with just one condition. Patients with COPD had the most complications during their initial hospital stay—such as infections, kidney problems, and confusion—and were also more likely to be readmitted. Overall, our study shows that people with both asthma and COPD face unique challenges and place a heavier burden on the health care system compared to those with only one of the diseases.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a rare, inherited disease associated with both liver and lung damage. Abnormal development or mutation in the SERPINA1 gene causes the disease. The most common inherited severely deficient mutation of the gene is the Z mutation. This mutation causes a folding error in the production of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein in liver cells, which can cause cirrhosis of the liver. A loss of the protective circulating protein (alpha-1 antitrypsin) within the lungs can also occur, causing emphysema to develop. While patients who inherit 2 Z mutations have similar low blood levels of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein, their lung and liver disease can vary.

Identifying the signals and signs (such as symptoms, lab tests, and scans/images) that tell us a disease is occurring and how severe it is, is important to understanding how to reduce the impact of the disease and how specific therapies may help. The Alpha-1 Biomarker Consortium was formed to identify these signals and signs of lung and liver disease, and to help understand how the disease is specifically affecting a group of patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This article outlines the reasons for doing this and all study procedures to be performed in a new study about markers of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency disease (blood, imaging, and others).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) weakens lung defenses, partly because of reduced levels of a protective protein called pIgR. We wanted to understand how a tiny molecule called miR-144 affects this process, especially under conditions mimicking smoking-related lung damage.

We found that smoke increased miR-144 and reduced pIgR, weakening the airways’ ability to fight off outside toxins—their immune defense. When we blocked miR-144, pIgR levels improved. We also discovered that another molecule, TGF-β (a protein that helps maintain pIgR), is part of this pathway and plays an important role in how miR-144 affects pIgR.

COPD affects millions globally, and current treatments do not fully restore the lungs’ immunity or defenses. This study identifies miR-144 as a potential target for new therapies. If future drugs can block miR-144, they might help rebuild the lungs’ natural defenses and slow COPD progression.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition that makes breathing difficult. A growing concern for patients with COPD is the development of a liver condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). MAFLD occurs when fat builds up in the liver due to problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity.

This study looked at 168 people with stable COPD in Vietnam to see how common MAFLD is and how it affects their lung health. Nearly half (48.8%) of the COPD patients also had MAFLD. These patients had worse lung function and experienced more flare-ups, or exacerbations, compared to those without MAFLD. Patients with more liver fat (measured by a test called FibroScan) were much more likely to have 2 or more COPD flare-ups in the past year. Even after accounting for other health factors, MAFLD remained a strong and independent risk factor for these flare-ups.

The study highlights the importance of screening for liver problems in people with COPD. Early detection and management of metabolic issues like MAFLD may help reduce the risk of COPD getting worse.

In this study, researchers added a step-by-step “care pathway” into the electronic health record to guide doctors caring for people admitted to the hospital with a sudden worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

They looked at nearly a thousand COPD hospital admissions (that occurred in the year after the pathway was created) and noted when the newly added pathway was opened by doctors. Although the pathway was only used in 15% of cases, patients whose care teams used the pathway spent about a day and a half less in the hospital (5.4 vs. 7.1 days) and had lower overall hospital costs. Importantly, patients for whom the pathway was used were almost 6 times more likely to be sent to pulmonary rehabilitation after discharge and nearly twice as likely to go home rather than to a care facility. Readmission rates within 30 days trended lower but did not reach statistical significance.

These results matter because pulmonary rehabilitation helps people breathe more easily and stay out of the hospital. In addition, sending more patients home safely can reduce costs and improve their quality of life. Putting clear, proven, step-by-step guidance into the medical record offers a practical way to ensure all COPD patients in the hospital receive not only the best COPD care, but the same care without needing to add extra staff.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease that can make it difficult to breathe. In this article, researchers wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of living with COPD in the United States, so they surveyed patients with COPD during their routine doctor visits in January 2025.

Of the 1,615 patients who completed the survey, 39% had been living with COPD for more than 7 years. One in 4 patients said that they had symptoms every day during the month, and two-thirds said that COPD impacted their everyday lives. However, less than half of the surveyed patients reported having detailed discussions about their COPD with their doctor. Some patients were not on any medicines for their COPD, mainly because their breathing problems were not bad enough, or because their doctor had not recommended it. Most patients who had tried medicines were open to trying new options.

The survey showed that COPD has a large impact on patients’ lives. There is a need for more open talks between patients and their doctors about COPD and ways to best treat their disease. Better communication between patients and doctors could help improve COPD care.

People with schizophrenia are more likely to have COPD than the general population. In part, this may be because they are more likely to smoke cigarettes, but there may be other reasons, including shared genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental risk factors. The symptoms of COPD may be viewed as psychosomatic, meaning mental stress or distress has played a role in the development of the symptoms. This thinking can lead to under-diagnosis, and people with schizophrenia are less likely to receive adequate general medical care, including treatment. Drugs used to treat schizophrenia are associated with negative effects that may be a problem for people with COPD.

This review discusses the links between COPD and schizophrenia and considers ways in which the treatment of people with schizophrenia and COPD could be improved, including developing services that deal with both their physical and mental health problems. Regular physical health checks that include asking about respiratory symptoms would be beneficial, and care coordination that includes addressing physical health issues, vaccination, support with smoking cessation, exercise, and pulmonary rehabilitation would make a difference.

COPD is a common long-term lung condition, and individuals living with COPD face notable difficulties in their everyday tasks because of breathlessness and tiredness. Recognizing COPD early and getting the right treatment on time are the keys to improving lung function and preventing other health complications.

This review looks at the different difficulties and opportunities in managing COPD from the viewpoints of both patients and health care providers. Integrating patient viewpoints into clinical practice can help health care systems to better meet the complex needs of individuals with COPD and ultimately improve their health outcomes. Patients and health care providers together support improvements in COPD management. These include emphasizing the need for maintenance therapy, having a better understanding of COPD flare-ups, with a focus on prevention, and nurturing a partnership between patients and their health care providers in managing care. The role of health care providers is essential in encouraging self-management and awareness of COPD among patients.