Low smoking exposure and development and prognosis of COPD over four decades: a population-based cohort study.

Background: A diagnosis of COPD is mainly considered in individuals with >10 pack-years of smoking. We tested the hypothesis that low smoking exposure, below the critical threshold of 10 pack-years, increases risk of COPD and leads to poor prognosis.

Methods: We followed non-obstructed adult smokers from the Copenhagen City Heart Study for COPD, defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV)/forced vital capacity <0.

Susceptible Young Adults and Development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Later in Life.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has its origin in early life, and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) proposes a predisease state termed "pre-COPD." We tested the hypothesis that susceptible young adults identified with chronic bronchitis and subtle lung function impairment will develop COPD later in life. We followed random individuals without COPD ages 20-50 years from two population-based cohorts from different smoking eras-the Copenhagen General Population Study from 2003 ( = 5,497) and the Copenhagen City Heart Study from 1976-1978 ( = 2,609)-for 10 and 25 years, for the development of COPD (FEV/FVC <0.

Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide is higher in liver transplant recipients than in controls from the general population: a cohort study.

Background: Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide with an expiratory flow of 50 mL/s (FNO) is a biomarker of eosinophilic airway inflammation. Liver transplant recipients have an increased risk of pulmonary infections, but little is known about the burden of chronic pulmonary diseases in this group. We aimed to assess the prevalence of elevated FNO in liver transplant recipients and compare it to controls from the general population.

Predicting exacerbations in COPD in the Danish general population.

Background: Risk of exacerbations in individuals with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the general population is less well described than in more advanced disease. We hypothesized that in addition to history of previous exacerbation also other clinical characteristics predict future moderate exacerbations.

Methods: In 96,462 individuals in the Copenhagen General Population Study, we identified 3175 with clinical COPD defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 0.

Chronic cough associated with COPD exacerbation, pneumonia and death in the general population.

Background: Chronic cough affects up to 10% of the general population and was previously perceived as a comorbidity of underlying conditions, but is nowadays classified as a disease in its own entity that could confer increased risk of morbidity and mortality. We tested the hypothesis that chronic cough is associated with increased risk of COPD exacerbation, pneumonia and all-cause mortality in the general population.

Methods: We identified 2801 individuals with chronic cough, defined as cough lasting >8 weeks, among 44 756 randomly selected individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study, and recorded COPD exacerbations, pneumonia and all-cause mortality during follow-up.

Type-2 inflammation and lung function decline in chronic airway disease in the general population.

Background: It is unclear if type-2 inflammation is associated with accelerated lung function decline in individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We tested the hypothesis that type-2 inflammation indicated by elevated blood eosinophils (BE) and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is associated with accelerated lung function decline in the general population.

Methods: We included adults from the Copenhagen General Population Study with measurements of BE (N=15 605) and FeNO (N=2583) from a follow-up examination and assessed forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV) decline in the preceding 10 years.

Impact of the metabolic syndrome on cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality in individuals with lung function impairment: a prospective cohort study of the Danish general population.

Background: Whether the metabolic syndrome plays a role for the prognosis of individuals with lung function impairment (preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) or airflow limitation) is unclear. We hypothesised that the metabolic syndrome in individuals with lung function impairment is associated with increased cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality.

Methods: The Copenhagen General Population Study was initiated in 2003 based on a random sample of white men and women aged 20-100 years drawn from the Danish general population.

Plasma adiponectin levels and risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, aortic valve stenosis, and myocardial infarction: large-scale observational and Mendelian randomization evidence.

Aims: Adiponectin may play an important protective role in heart failure and associated cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that plasma adiponectin is associated observationally and causally, genetically with risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, aortic valve stenosis, and myocardial infarction.

Methods And Results: In the Copenhagen General Population Study, we examined 30 045 individuals with plasma adiponectin measurements observationally and 96 903 individuals genetically in one-sample Mendelian randomization analyses using five genetic variants explaining 3% of the variation in plasma adiponectin.

Characterization of mycophage endolysin cell wall binding domains targeting Mycobacterium bovis peptidoglycan.

Mycophage endolysins are highly diverse and modular enzymes composed of domains involved in peptidoglycan binding and degradation. Mostly, they are characterized by a three-module design: an N-terminal peptidase domain, a central catalytic domain and a C-terminal peptidoglycan binding domain. Previously, the affinity of cell wall binding domains (CBDs) to the mycobacterial peptidoglycan layer was shown for some of these endolysins.

Faster lung function decline in people living with HIV despite adequate treatment: a longitudinal matched cohort study.

Introduction: Chronic lung disease is common among people living with HIV (PLWH). We hypothesised that PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) have faster lung function decline than matched controls.

Methods: We performed a prospective matched cohort study by including ART-treated PLWH from the Copenhagen Co-morbidity in HIV Infection Study (n=705) and the INSIGHT Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment Pulmonary Substudy (n=425) and frequency matched population controls from the Copenhagen General Population Study (n=2895) in a 1:3 ratio.

Respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in unvaccinated athletes before and after COVID-19 infection: A prospective cohort study.

Purpose: We investigated abnormalities and recovery in respiratory function after COVID-19 infection in an unvaccinated elite athlete population.

Methods: Measurements included maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF).

Results: The most frequent reported symptoms were fatigue with 80% and muscle/joint pain and headache with 50%, whereas only 10% reported dyspnoea and 30% cough.

Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential and impaired kidney function-A Danish general population study with 11 years follow-up.

The myeloproliferative neoplasms are associated with chronic kidney disease but whether clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is associated with impaired kidney function is unknown. In the Danish General Suburban Population Study (N = 19 958) from 2010 to 2013, 645 individuals were positive for JAK2V617F (N = 613) or CALR (N = 32) mutations. Mutation-positive individuals without haematological malignancy were defined as having CHIP (N = 629).

Plasma immunoglobulin E and risk of exacerbation and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A contemporary population-based cohort.

Background: Novel biomarkers and targeted treatments are needed for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective: To test the hypothesis that high plasma immunoglobulin (Ig)E concentrations associate with increased risk of exacerbation and mortality in individuals with COPD in the general population.

Methods: Among 46,598 adults in the Copenhagen General Population Study, we included 1559 with COPD, defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity < 0.

Potential clinical implications of targeted spirometry for detection of COPD: A contemporary population-based cohort study.

Background: Early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through targeted spirometry may provide better treatment opportunities and in the long run reduce its high burden. We therefore investigated potential beneficial clinical implications of targeted spirometry for detection of COPD and focus on both pulmonary and extrapulmonary conditions in a contemporary general population cohort.

Methods: We recruited 29 678 randomly selected adults from the Copenhagen General Population Study from 2014 to 2017.

Prognosis of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Not Eligible for Major Clinical Trials.

Randomized controlled trials only include a subset of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fulfilling strict inclusion criteria. Thus, most patients with COPD in a real-world setting do not have the necessary evidence to support treatment effectiveness. To test the hypotheses that most individuals with COPD in the general population are not represented in major clinical trials despite clinically significant disease with exacerbations and early death.

Nationwide indoor smoking ban and impact on smoking behaviour and lung function: a two-population natural experiment.

Introduction: Many countries have implemented indoor smoking bans over the past two decades. Although smoking bans have been shown to reduce cardiovascular outcomes, little is known about their impact on respiratory health. This study investigated the impact of a nationwide indoor smoking ban on smoking behaviour and lung function.

Exacerbation history, severity of dyspnoea and maintenance treatment predicts risk of future exacerbations in patients with COPD in the general population.

Background: Whether risk of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is influenced by severity of symptoms and maintenance treatment is unclear.

Objective: We hypothesized that in addition to history of exacerbations of COPD, the severity of dyspnoea and use of maintenance medications are associated with risk of future exacerbations.

Methods: We included 96,462 adults from the Copenhagen General Population Study and assessed risk of moderate and severe exacerbations from 2003 to 2013 according to exacerbation history, dyspnoea score (mMRC), and presence/absence of maintenance treatment with inhaled long-acting bronchodilators and/or inhaled corticosteroids.

Plasma adiponectin and risk of asthma: observational analysis, genetic Mendelian randomisation and meta-analysis.

Background: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted protein-hormone with inflammatory properties, has a potentially important role in the development and progression of asthma. Unravelling whether adiponectin is a causal risk factor for asthma is an important issue to clarify as adiponectin could be a potential novel drug target for the treatment of asthma.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that plasma adiponectin is associated observationally and causally (using genetic variants as instrumental variables) with risk of asthma.

Changes in lung function in European adults born between 1884 and 1996 and implications for the diagnosis of lung disease: a cross-sectional analysis of ten population-based studies.

Background: During the past century, socioeconomic and scientific advances have resulted in changes in the health and physique of European populations. Accompanying improvements in lung function, if unrecognised, could result in the misclassification of lung function measurements and misdiagnosis of lung diseases. We therefore investigated changes in population lung function with birth year across the past century, accounting for increasing population height, and examined how such changes might influence the interpretation of lung function measurements.

Low Plasma Adiponectin in Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Observational Analysis and One- and Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analyses in 756,219 Individuals.

We tested the hypothesis that low plasma adiponectin is associated observationally and causally with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Observational analyses are prone to confounding and reverse causation, while genetic Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses are much less influenced by these biases. We examined 30,045 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study observationally (plasma adiponectin [1,751 individuals with type 2 diabetes]), 96,903 Copenhagen individuals using one-sample MR (5 genetic variants [5,012 individuals with type 2 diabetes]), and 659,316 Europeans (ADIPOGen, GERA, DIAGRAM, UK Biobank) using two-sample MR (10 genetic variants [62,892 individuals type 2 diabetes]).