21 May 2025 • A large cohort study of 9416 adults found that adding chest CT imaging and respiratory symptoms to COPD diagnostics identified 15.4% of individuals without airflow obstruction as having COPD.

These patients had higher all-cause mortality (aHR: 1.98), respiratory mortality (aHR: 3.58), more exacerbations (IRR: 2.09), and faster FEV₁ decline. Conversely, 6.8% with airflow obstruction but no symptoms or CT abnormalities were excluded from diagnosis and had outcomes similar to healthy peers.

The findings support updating COPD criteria to better identify high-risk patients.

Source: Jama Network | Read Full Story