Author Archives: Magdalena Kegel

The common tool used to assess which chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are most in need of a lung transplant may underestimate how long people survive if they do not get new lungs. The findings, published in the journal Chest, suggest that the tool, called BODE, might cause…

Although studies show that continuous positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy can reduce hospitalizations among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), less than 8 percent of patients receive this treatment. PAP is a treatment delivered by a device that gently forces pressurized room air through the airways to keep the…

Chronic inflammation of the sinus cavities is more common among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who also have bronchiectasis, underscoring the impact of chronic inflammation of the upper airways in more severe disease phases. The study, “Chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with higher prevalence and severity…

Smokers and ex-smokers may significantly reduce their risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by eating  more fruit and vegetables, according to new research. The study, which only included men, found that each additional serving of fruit or vegetables reduced their risk by 4 to 8 percent. But the…

Blocking a molecule that is a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could be a path toward treating the disease, according to a study. Researchers demonstrated that blocking a factor known as RAGE (receptor for advanced glycan end products) prevented inflammatory signaling and reduced airway damage in mice. The…

In the largest study to date examining risk factors for lung disease, researchers showed that people at high genetic risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cut that risk in half if they stop smoking in early adulthood. The study examined 24 million genetic variants and concluded that those…

With the help of a $1 million grant, scientists at the University of Louisville are starting up a new research program aiming to study lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The program, dubbed the “Gibbs Lung Research Program” (GSG), will focus specifically on the role of inflammation…

Adult children of parents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at higher risk of developing the condition themselves, even when no apparent genetic risk factors for COPD are present. This insight indicates a need for better screening for COPD in this group of people to create a greater likelihood…

Researchers have engineered a mouse model of cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with excessive mucus production, inflammation, and reduced lung function. Their hope is that the model will help with developing new treatments. The study explaining the development, “Pharmacological and genetic reappraisals of…

Early detectionof bronchiectasis among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could lead to better disease management and, in the long run, better survival. But researchers do not agree on the best way to manage these patients, emphasizing the need for more research in patients with the two conditions. Researchers…