Highlights From the European Respiratory Society Congress 2023: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Severe Asthma

Abstract

At the 2023 European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress, a significant part of the scientific discussion revolved around asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with multiple abstracts and sessions dedicated to advances in targeted treatments, prevention, and care plans for these patient groups. Clinical remission was one of the key topics in the severe asthma (SA) sessions, with a focus on its definition, patient outcomes, and perceptions. Additionally, biological treatments, their affected pathways, and their role in helping patients achieve remission were central to these discussions. For COPD, much of the scientific dialogue centred around the updated Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines, which classify patients according to the number of exacerbations, dyspnoea, and functional assessment, and suggest personalised treatment. Such treatments were the focus of numerous talks and posters, as evidence is mounting on the use of single inhaler triple therapy in patients with COPD and ≥2 moderate exacerbations or ≥1 leading to hospitalisation, with a positive impact on symptoms and quality of life (QoL). Exacerbation prevention was also a notable topic, as patients with COPD and asthma are more susceptible to infections, often leading to exacerbations, and are at higher risk of complications, hospitalisations, and death. Vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases was recommended as a key cornerstone in the management of respiratory patients, and the importance of increasing awareness, access, and uptake of these vaccines was stressed.