New study examines possible connection between levels of plasma omega-3 and symptoms of COPD
MIAMI (June 25, 2024) - An increased level of plasma omega-3 fatty acids may help decrease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups and improve the quality of life for those with the lung disease, according to a new study. The study is published in the May 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal.
COPD is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and chronic cough. People with COPD can also experience exacerbations, or flare-ups, where the person's breathing, cough or mucus production is worse than usual and may not respond as well to medications.
This new study examined whether there was a relationship between plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels and the occurrence of moderate COPD exacerbations, as well as respiratory-specific quality of life. Omega-3 fatty acids have previously been connected to anti-inflammatory responses.
"In our study cohort, we found that higher plasma omega-3 levels were connected to a decreased risk for moderate exacerbations, as well as better respiratory quality of life, particularly for people with moderate to severe COPD," said Nadia N. Hansel, M.D., MPH, a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and senior author of the study. "Examining plasma omega-3 gives us more accurate data than when examining self-reported dietary intake of omega-3 and helps reduce the burden on study participants to recall their food consumption."
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Foundation emphasizes need to protect youth from e-cigarette risks
MIAMI & NEW YORK, (June 21, 2024) - The COPD Foundation has expressed concerns following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to rescind the marketing denial orders (MDOs) previously issued to JUUL Labs, Inc. The Foundation emphasizes the importance of protecting youth from the potential harms of e-cigarettes while recognizing the use of these products for adult smokers aiming to quit traditional cigarettes.
In June 2022, the FDA issued MDOs for JUUL products due to insufficient evidence regarding their safety and concerns about harmful effects. These concerns were rooted in conflicting data on potential toxicity and chemicals leaching from JUUL's e-liquid pods. The FDA paused these denials in July 2022 to conduct further scientific reviews and in June 2024, rescinded the MDOs to resume comprehensive evaluations of JUUL's applications.
"While we understand the need for the FDA to thoroughly review e-cigarette products, we remain deeply concerned about the significant rise in youth vaping," said Jean Wright, M.D., MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation. "Many adults looking to quit traditional cigarettes use vaping and e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, but it is crucial that any decision regarding the marketing of these products rigorously considers the potential impact on young people.
The FDA has approved only 23 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products for sale in the United States, yet manufacturers are still flooding the market with thousands of illegal candy-flavored options. The popularity of JUUL products among youth has led to increased nicotine addiction in this vulnerable population. Protecting our youth from the dangers of nicotine and ensuring that these products are not marketed to them should remain a top priority.
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Prevalence of COPD is higher in LGBTQ+ Communities
MIAMI (June 20, 2024) - Increased research, smoking cessation efforts, and education about lung health are needed to address the increased prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in sexual and gender minority communities, according to two new articles. The articles are published in the May 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by irritants like smoke or pollution and genetics. The disease affects an estimated 30 million Americans, yet only about half are aware that they have the disease. Studies have shown that LGBTQ+ populations have higher rates of tobacco smoking, putting them at a higher risk of developing COPD.
In a perspective piece, "From Invisibility to Inclusion: A Call to Action to Address COPD Disparities in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ Community," the authors conducted a literature review of COPD in LGBTQ+ populations and found eight studies that examined the prevalence of COPD in various groups of the LGBTQ+ community. All eight studies determined there was an increased occurrence of COPD within the studied groups when compared to heterosexual and/or cisgender populations.
"Although the prevalence of COPD has been shown to be higher in the LGBTQ+ community, we need current research and prevention efforts to actively address the issue," said Ninad T. Maniar, M.D., a pulmonologist and critical care physician at Medstar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. "We propose a three-part call to action: increased education about COPD and the risk of tobacco smoke, expanded COPD prevention and intervention efforts including the development of culturally sensitive smoking cessation resources and focused research on COPD in LGBTQ+ populations. These efforts can help improve the health of these marginalized communities - now and in the future."
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FDA has qualified the first digital endpoint for clinical trials
MIAMI (June 18, 2024) - The COPD Foundation is collaborating with the Digital Health Measurement Collaborative Community (DATAcc) by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) on a new project aimed at increasing the use of digital endpoints in clinical trials.
In health care and clinical research, an endpoint is an outcome used to assess the effectiveness of a treatment or intervention. It is a specific measure that a study aims to investigate, helping to determine if a treatment is effective and safe and guiding clinical and regulatory decisions.
Digital endpoints are health outcomes collected outside of a clinic using wearable sensors, mobile apps and other digital health technologies. They are used in patient care and clinical trials to provide a complete health assessment with real-time data in a person's own environment. Examples of digital endpoints include sleep quality, steps per day and heart rate.
Under the Medical Device Development Tools (MDDT) program, the FDA has qualified the first digital endpoint for clinical trials, exemplifying the growing adoption of digital health measures. This is a long-awaited big win for digital clinical measures in clinical trials - it will revolutionize how outcomes are measured, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in research.
The COPD Foundation is a partner on the DATAcc by DiMe's "Building the Business Case for Digital Endpoints" project, which is working to develop ways to measure the value and effectiveness of using digital endpoints. Implementing digital endpoints benefits people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by continuously monitoring their condition, providing data on exacerbations (flare-ups) and other symptoms over time. Mobile technology enables more people, including those in rural areas, to participate in clinical research. COPD affects more than 30 million Americans, and approximately two million of those are in rural locations.
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Cedar Rapids, Iowa resident races weekly at Hawkeye Downs Speedway
MIAMI & CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (June 13, 2024) - Teen race car driver Maddox Rowley is using his weekly races at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to help others by raising awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The 18-year-old from Cedar Rapids is only in his second year of racing, but he's already making a difference and raising awareness through his racing. Rowley sees the value of using his platform to bring attention to a cause that is personal to him.
"I've seen other drivers' cars wrapped for different organizations and nonprofits," Rowley said. "I knew that if I was going to advocate for something, I wanted it to be connected to me. A close family friend had COPD and later passed away. I had a memorial for him on my car for a while, and then I decided I wanted to take it one step further this year and make it bigger by putting the COPD Foundation logo on my car to help spread awareness."
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet it is estimated roughly half of those with the disease remain undiagnosed.
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WASHINGTON, DC - (June 4, 2024) - Yesterday, 30 leading patient, provider and professional organizations sent a letter to members of Congress calling for support and cosponsors for the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform or SOAR Act (S. 3821/H.R. 7829), legislation that aims to ensure that people enrolled in Medicare who need supplemental oxygen can access the correct type and levels of oxygen needed for them to live full and active lives.
The organizations, American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), American Lung Association, American Thoracic Society, COPD Foundation, Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation released this statement:
"The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform or SOAR Act is critical to the lives of more than 1.5 million people in the U.S. facing serious health risks because they do not currently have access to the appropriate supplemental oxygen equipment and services."
"People with advanced or serious lung or heart diseases may require supplemental oxygen to ensure their bodies receive enough oxygen to keep their blood saturated and to allow their organs to function properly. Unfortunately, many people – especially those enrolled in Medicare – face challenges in getting the right type and oxygen levels."
"The SOAR Act would remove all oxygen services and equipment from the competitive bidding reimbursement system and create a new reimbursement system to ensure everyone who needs supplemental oxygen can get the proper kind and amount for living a full life. The SOAR Act would also ensure access to liquid oxygen for patients for whom it is medically necessary; ensure people who need respiratory therapy services can access them; establish an oxygen users' bill of rights; and establish national standardized documentation requirements that rely on a template rather than prescriber medical records to make payments more streamlined and less subject to potential fraud or abuse."
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Integral leader in pulmonary medicine and research celebrated 100th birthday on May 16, 2024
MIAMI (May 16, 2024) - The COPD Foundation is proud to honor Gerard Turino, M.D., an innovative leader in pulmonary medicine and research, as he celebrates his 100th birthday today, May 16, 2024.
Dr. Turino's career has spanned 72 years and counting, as he still has an appointment as an attending physician at Mount Sinai West Hospital and Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital in New York. He also has an appointment as the John H. Keating Senior Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York.
His list of achievements includes the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the COPD Conference, an awardee of the Edward Livingston Trudeau Medal for Research, Teaching and Clinical Care and the 2013 Breathing for Life Award, both from the American Thoracic Society, and the Distinguished Service Award in the Clinical Sciences from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Turino is the founder and director of the James P. Mara Center for Lung Disease at Mount Sinai West (formerly St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital), which is dedicated to research in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, asthma and intensive care. Research supported by the James P. Mara Center has led to the development of a biomarker for COPD and a potential therapy, currently awaiting further clinical trial.
Dr. Turino also cofounded the COPD Foundation and was the first chair of the organizations Board of Directors. He helped found the American Thoracic Society Foundations Board of Directors and was an early member of the Board of Directors of the Alpha-1 Foundation.
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New study shows nutritionally rich diet reduced incidence of chronic lung disease
MIAMI (April 25, 2024) - People with a history of smoking who follow a nutritionally rich, plant-centered diet have a reduced risk of developing radiographic emphysema later in life, regardless of smoking history, according to a new study. The study is published in the March 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal.
Emphysema is caused by irreversible damage to the air sacs in the lungs, which then limits the amount of oxygen transferred from the air to the blood and creates a feeling of shortness of breath. There are currently limited prevention strategies for those at high risk of developing emphysema.
This new study examined whether a nutritionally rich, plant-centered diet in young adult smokers impacted the risk of developing emphysema later in life. A nutritionally rich, plant-centered diet is characterized as a diet with higher amounts of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and lower amounts of refined grains and red and processed meats.
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Document Focuses on Health Care Settings and Home Environments
MIAMI (April 15, 2024) – A guidance statement from the COPD Foundation Nebulizer Consortium (CNC) on the safe use of nebulized therapies in health care settings and home environments has been published in the March 2024 issue of CHEST, a peer-reviewed medical journal.
Nebulizers are commonly used to deliver inhaled medications to people with respiratory illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These devices are especially important to individuals who may not receive the full benefit of medication delivered by handheld inhalers.
There is currently a lack of evidence on the safe use of nebulizer therapies and the increased risk of transmitting disease, particularly in the current COVID-19 environment. The CNC’s goal is to understand infection risks that may be associated with nebulizer therapy use, so that guidelines are developed to ensure the safety of people receiving nebulizer therapy, as well as those around them.
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is increasingly important to establish guidelines for the safe use of nebulizer therapies, which are vital to people with COPD and other respiratory illnesses,” said Isaac N. Biney, MD, pulmonologist at the University of Tennessee Medical Center and the lead author of the guideline. “These recommendations address the safe use of these therapies while helping to minimize the risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens for patients, caregivers, and health care providers.”
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MIAMI, (February 26, 2024) - Bronchiectasis and NTM 360, a division of the COPD Foundation, has announced the launch of the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network (CCN), a groundbreaking initiative that will facilitate access to specialized care and support for hundreds of thousands of individuals with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease.
This innovative network will be implemented at 150 medical centers in diverse geographical locations nationwide over the next three years with support from Founding Sponsor Insmed Incorporated, a global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to transform the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases. The aim for the centers is to provide accurate, prompt diagnosis and outstanding standardized medical care, resources, and education.
"Our goals to improve care and quality of life, advance research towards a cure, and build widespread awareness can only be attained through bold vision and support from companies like Insmed," said Jean Wright, M.D., MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation. "As the prevalence of these diseases and the economic burden grow, early detection and education efforts are more critical than ever. This collaboration, which also includes NTM Info & Research and a steering committee of world-renowned experts and patient representation, will transform the landscape of care for individuals with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease, providing them with the care and resources they need to thrive."
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COPD is a major public health problem that remains largely neglected
MIAMI & NEW YORK, (January 10, 2024) - The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, a peer-reviewed medical journal, has published a statement by the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee of the COPD Foundation, shedding light on the state of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and advocating for action to address the burden of this often-overlooked public health crisis.
The statement emphasizes the oversight of COPD on an unprecedented scale, with patients, health care providers, payers, and funders largely neglecting the issue. According to the report, COPD is the third leading cause of death, with over 3 million deaths worldwide in 2019. In the United States alone, approximately 27 million adults are estimated to have airflow obstruction, with 19.5 million remaining undiagnosed.
"COPD has long been in the shadows," said Surya P Bhatt, M.D., professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham and one of the authors of the statement. "Our hope is that this statement serves as a catalyst for change, urging health care communities, policy makers, and the public to address the challenges of COPD. Through increased research, awareness, and strategic policy initiatives, we can significantly improve the lives of those affected by COPD and reduce the burden of the disease."
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MIAMI & NEW YORK, (Dec. 12, 2023) - The COPD Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focused on improving the lives of those affected by COPD, bronchiectasis, and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, recently announced that Dr. Pamela J. McShane was elected as chair of the Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry Consortium.
"I am honored to have been elected as Chair of the U.S. Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry Consortium," said Dr. Pamela J. McShane. "I am incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie ahead. Together with our dedicated team, I look forward to furthering the mission of the Registry, working to improve healthcare outcomes in bronchiectasis, and making a lasting impact on our patients' lives."
Dr. Pamela J. McShane is a Professor of Medicine at UT Tyler School of Medicine and an accomplished physician, specializing in pulmonology, critical care medicine, and infectious lung diseases. She holds dual board certifications in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a distinguished member of medical societies such as the American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, and the European Respiratory Society.
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