Smartphone App-Guided Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, and survival in patients with chronic respiratory disease. However, center-based pulmonary rehabilitation programs remain unavailable in many health care facilities due to several barriers. To address this, we developed a smartphone app that enabled individuals to perform pulmonary rehabilitation at home.

Efficacy and safety of HL-301 compared with erdosteine in acute bronchitis: a randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority trial.

Background/aims: This study evaluated the non-inferiority of HL-301 to erdosteine in terms of symptom relief and the anti- inflammatory effects in acute bronchitis patients not treated with antibiotics.

Methods: In a double-blind, non-inferiority trial, patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either HL-301 (300 mg twice daily) or erdosteine (300 mg three times daily) for seven days. The primary endpoint was change in total Bronchitis Severity Score (BSS) from baseline to day 7.

Factors Associated with Exertional Desaturation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The six minute walk test (6MWT) has a prognostic role in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with desaturation during the 6MWT in patients with COPD. This study utilized data from the prospective KOrea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS) cohort.

Mucus plug and lung cancer incidence in patients with COPD.

Airway mucus plugs are frequently observed on chest computed tomography (CT) scans in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the association between the presence of mucus plugs and the risk of lung cancer in COPD patients has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to determine whether mucus plugs are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in COPD patients.

Clinical remission at two years post-diagnosis of asthma and its association with clinical outcomes: A retrospective cohort study in asthma patients with maintenance inhaler therapy.

Clinical remission (CR) has emerged as a potential therapeutic goal in patients with severe asthma eligible for biologic agents. However, its impact on long-term outcomes in asthma patients managed with maintenance inhaler therapy remains unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated adult asthma patients on maintenance inhalers to investigate the long-term outcomes associated with achieving CR.

Effects of Triple Therapy on the Clinical Course of Non-Eosinophilic COPD Groups B.

Background: Although the efficacy of triple therapy in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with a history of exacerbation is well established in groups with frequent exacerbations, less research has been conducted on its use in group B. Here, we investigated the effects of triple therapy on COPD patients with low eosinophil counts in the context of the current management of group B.

Methods: Using data from the Korean COPD Subtype Study (KOCOSS), we selected patients with blood eosinophil count (BEC) less than 300 cells/μL as non-eosinophilic COPD groups.

Radiologic emphysema predicts accelerated lung function decline in patients with asthma.

Background: Radiologic emphysema is increasingly observed in patients with asthma, yet its prognostic significance remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether emphysema identified on chest computed tomography (CT) predicts accelerated lung function decline among asthma patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult asthma patients who received inhaled corticosteroid therapy and underwent serial pulmonary function tests over a minimum follow-up of one year at two tertiary hospitals.

Impact of the Race-Neutral Equation on Mortality Risk Prediction in Korean Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background And Objective: Recently, GLI-2022, a race-neutral reference equation, was proposed for spirometric interpretation. However, the impact of using the GLI-2022 in predicting mortality risk has not been fully investigated. This study determined whether the GOLD grades based on GLI-2022 or race-specific equations are overestimated or underestimated in terms of mortality risk prediction among Korean patients with COPD.

A Decade of Healthcare Quality Assessment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in South Korea: Trends and Implications (2014-2023).

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disorder associated with substantial morbidity and healthcare costs. Effective outpatient management can prevent exacerbations and reduce hospitalization rates. Since 2014, the South Korean government has conducted annual COPD quality assessment to improve disease management and ensure high-quality healthcare services.

Unbalanced Associations between Physical, Psychological, and Social Domains of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire: Network and Mediation Analyses.

Background: The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) is a validated instrument for evaluating cough-related impairments within three domains: physical, psychological, and social. This study investigated how the physical, psychological, and social domains of chronic cough are interrelated using the LCQ.

Methods: Adult patients with chronic cough from 16 respiratory centers who completed the LCQ and underwent diagnostic workup were retrospectively reviewed.

Clinical characteristic of patients with COPD-A.

Background: The 2023 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) document proposed the COPD-A subtype as a condition of COPD with asthma. We examined the characteristics of COPD-A patients and analyzed them according to smoking history and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use.

Methods: Patients in the COPD cohort with a history of asthma were included.

Deep Learning-Based Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation Prediction Using Flow-Volume and Volume-Time Curve Imaging: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and progressive respiratory condition characterized by persistent airflow limitation and symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production. Acute exacerbations (AE) of COPD (AE-COPD) are key determinants of disease progression; yet, existing predictive models relying mainly on spirometric measurements, such as forced expiratory volume in 1 second, reflect only a fraction of the physiological information embedded in respiratory function tests. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled more sophisticated analyses of full spirometric curves, including flow-volume loops and volume-time curves, facilitating the identification of complex patterns associated with increased exacerbation risk.

Impact of inhaled corticosteroids on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease risk in COPD patients.

Background: The systemic impact of long-term use of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) on the liver remains poorly understood in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our study aimed to identify whether long-term ICS therapy impacts the risk of Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in patients with COPD.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using claims records from a large population-based database.

Comparing Heterogenous Phenotypes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Network Analysis and Penalized Generalized Linear Model.

Background And Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease, with chronic bronchitis (CB) and emphysema phenotypes. The aim of our study was to compare the distinct patterns of correlation networks for respiratory symptoms and predictors of future exacerbations of different COPD phenotypes.

Methods: CB and emphysema were identified using a questionnaire and computed tomography images, respectively, and also included patients with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm).

Distinct risks of exacerbation and lung function decline between never-smokers and ever-smokers with COPD.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can occur in patients without a history of smoking, which is a strong risk factor for COPD. However, few studies have focused on the prognosis of never-smokers with COPD. We investigated the difference of the longitudinal clinical outcomes between never-smokers and ever-smokers with COPD.

Maximal Forced Inspiratory Flow Dynamics and Acute Exacerbation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients with Exacerbation History.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by progressive airflow obstruction and frequent exacerbations, is a significant global health burden. COPD severity has traditionally been assessed using expiratory flow measurements, like forced expiratory volume in 1 second. However, the role of inspiratory flow, specifically maximal forced inspiratory flow (FIFmax), in predicting exacerbation risk is gaining attention.

Early clinical remission and its role in lung function decline and exacerbation in adult Korean patients with asthma.

Introduction: Despite advancements in asthma management, many patients continue to experience poor disease control, lung function decline, and frequent exacerbations. Clinical remission (CR) has been proposed as a novel treatment target and surrogate marker for long-term outcomes. This study evaluates whether early CR at 1 year after inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) initiation influences lung function decline and exacerbation risk in asthma.

Effects of Vaccination on Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination may offer benefits for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the evidence on whether the vaccination decreases the frequency of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is limited.

Methods: This study enrolled 41,606 individuals diagnosed with COPD using the Korean National Health Insurance System-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (NHIS SARS-CoV-2) database between 2020 and 2021.

Risk Factors of FEV₁/FVC Decline in COPD Patients.

Background: Factors influencing the decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity (FVC) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progression remain uncertain. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with rapid FEV₁/FVC decline in patients with COPD.

Methods: This multi-center observational study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2022.

Clinical Significance of Various Pathogens Identified in Patients Experiencing Acute Exacerbations of COPD: A Multi-center Study in South Korea.

Background: Respiratory infections play a major role in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This study assessed the prevalence of bacterial and viral pathogens and their clinical impact on patients with AECOPD.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1,186 patients diagnosed with AECOPD at 28 hospitals in South Korea between 2015 and 2018.

Diagnosis and evaluation of small airway disease and COPD using impulse oscillometry.

Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a sensitive tool for assessing small airway function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to differentiate between COPD, small airway disease (SAD), and normal groups using IOS, and to evaluate the clinical applicability of IOS. This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to February 2022.