A higher genetic risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with reduced lung function starting in childhood, a study of more than 45,000 people across Europe shows. A person’s genetic makeup plays a key role in lung health early on, increasing the risk for COPD later in…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the first time has cleared a fingertip pulse oximeter for home use as a medical device that consumers — including people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — can use to check their blood oxygen levels. The device, MightySat Medical from…

Long-term treatment with Olympus’ Spiration Valve System (SVS) safely led to sustained improvements in lung function — and in life quality — among people with severe emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That’s according to two-year follow-up data from the EMPROVE trial, which had tested…

Dupixent (dupilumab) — a medication initially approved for exzema — was found to significantly reduce the number of disease exacerbations and to improve lung function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), meeting the primary and key secondary goals of the pivotal Phase 3 BOREAS trial. A similarly…

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may experience fewer acute disease exacerbations if they regularly use noninvasive ventilation at night, a small study in Greece reported. “Good” nighttime use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a type of noninvasive ventilation, also aided lung…

Ensifentrine, Verona Pharma’s experimental inhalation therapy, safely and effectively improves lung function and reduces the rate and risk of exacerbations, or episodes of disease worsening, in people with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That is according to top-line, six-month data from the Phase 3 ENHANCE-2…

Salmeterol, combined with the root extract derivative magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG), eased the signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats, a study demonstrated. Salmeterol-MgIG combination therapy was more effective than the approved salmeterol-fluticasone combination in improving lung function and reducing inflammation. The researchers suggested…

Long-term exposure to air pollution, even at relatively low concentrations, is associated significantly with reduced lung function and may increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a population-based study in Canada. “Few studies have examined the relationship between air pollution and the lung health of adults…

Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) found the Wellinks health mobile app useful and valuable for managing the disease and treatment, a small pilot study suggests. According to study authors, the Wellinks platform may aid patient engagement and outcomes. “It’s exciting to see this population of chronically ill patients successfully…

Infection with rhinovirus, a virus that causes the common cold, combined with long-term exposure to cigarette smoke — two risk factors associated with symptom worsening in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — can significantly affect lung structure, a study in a mouse model has found. The study,…