Airflow reversibility and long-term outcomes in patients with COPD without comorbidities.

Background: The forced expiratory volume at first second (FEV(1)) during spirometry reflects the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is known to be an important prognostic factor. It is uncertain whether the response to short-acting bronchodilators may predict long-term outcomes such as hospitalizations and mortality.

Methods: We retrospectively studied a total of 1203 consecutive COPD patients without significant comorbidities during a mean (±SD) of 69 ± 39 months of follow-up.

[Patient-reported parameters in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Patients' and specialist physicians' perspectives of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) do not always coincide. Specialists are mainly interested in evaluating and monitoring pulmonary function deterioration, since this feature is the hallmark of the disease and indicates its severity. However, patients worry more about their symptoms (especially breathlessness), limitations for activities of daily living and progressive impairment of quality of life.