Asthma and COPD overlap syndrome is associated with increased risk of hospitalisation

Abstract

Asthma and COPD overlap syndrome is associated with a higher risk of hospitalisation due to respiratory problems than COPD alone.

Asthma–Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome

“…Additionally, the group with ACOS have a higher body-mass index(14, 20) than counterparts with COPD or asthma alone. Inconsistent findings were a higher prevalence of women(9, 14, 17) and better lung function (as measured by FEV1)(9, 15) in the ACOS group than in those with COPD alone.…”

“…(9–21) Most estimates of prevalence of ACOS among a population of individuals with asthma appears to be slightly higher, with estimates ranging 27.1%–38%(13, 16, 18), whereas estimates of ACOS within a population of individuals with COPD appear to be slightly lower, ranging mostly from 13%–28.6%. (9–11, 14, 17, 19–21) Other than the differences in population characteristics which may account for the variation in prevalence estimates, the definitions utilized to identify individuals with ACOS also differ greatly. Several studies, particularly those in which the population studied is primarily composed of individuals with COPD, have defined ACOS as an individual with a spirometric diagnosis of COPD, most commonly employing Global Initiative of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria,(22) American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) criteria,(23) or some slight variation of these criteria, and also reporting a diagnosis of asthma earlier in life, such as prior to the age of 40.…”

What is asthma−COPD overlap syndrome? Towards a consensus definition from a round table discussion

“…of life and hospitalisations [81,82], though paradoxically with reduced rates of lung function decline compared with COPD alone [81]. Until a case definition is determined, these epidemiological and clinical data will be hard to interpret and across study comparisons will be impeded.…”

Socioeconomic impact of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome

“…ACOS is simply defined as coexistence of incompletely reversible airway obstruction and airway hyper-responsiveness. Subjects with ACOS tend to have increased risk of exacerbation and poor quality of life (6)(7)(8). High economic burden of ACOS was demonstrated compared to those of asthma and COPD (9)(10)(11)(12)(13).…”