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Allergy and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Allergy, airway hyperreactivity (AHR), and allergic asthma are risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a heterogeneous disease presenting with various phenotypes. An allergic phenotype of COPD, characterized by more severe respiratory symptoms and higher risk of acute exacerbations, was described recently.[1] Further investigations into the role of allergy in the pathogenesis and/or expressions of COPD may lead to new modalities targeting the allergic component, a potentially treatable feature of a progressive disease like COPD.

Bronchiectasis as a Comorbidity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Implications and Future Research.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease with high morbidity and mortality.[1] With increasing use of computed tomography in the assessment of patients with COPD, the presence of previously unrecognized radiological bronchiectasis is being identified.[2] Accumulating evidence shows that bronchiectasis has an important impact on the natural history of COPD. Moderate-severe COPD with comorbid bronchiectasis has more severe symptoms, higher frequency of exacerbations, and increased mortality.[3] Given the prognostic implications of bronchiectasis in COPD, its detection could serve as a guide to better management and eventually improved survival.[1] Therefore, bronchiectasis was proposed as a comorbidity of COPD by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) updated 2014.