Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2023 Report: GOLD Executive Summary

Assessment of the Relationship Between Genetic Determinants of Obesity, Unhealthy Eating Habits and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Mendelian Randomisation Study

Background: Clinical studies have shown that the onset and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are related to obesity and dietary behaviours, but the genetic relationship between them is not clear.Aims: To investigate the relationship between the genetic determinants of obesity, dietary habits (alcohol consumption, intake of sweets, salt intake) and COPD.Methods: Exposure and outcome datasets were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project. The exposure dataset includes dietary habits (Salt added to food, Sweets intake, Alcohol consumption), obesity level (represented by body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP) data sets.). The outcome dataset includes COPD and acute COPD admissions. The collected data were imported into the RStudio software and conducted Mendelian randomisation analysis. Additionally, heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy tests were conducted on the data to ensure the veracity of the results.Results: The results showed that BMI was positively correlated with the risk of acute COPD admission (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.39-2.18) and COPD (OR = 1.81, 95%CI 1.41-2.33). In addition, BFP was also a risk factor for COPD (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.42-2.77) and acute exacerbation of COPD admission (OR = 1.99, 95%CI 1.43-2.77). The increase of salt, sugar and alcohol consumption will not increase the risk of COPD and the risk of hospitalisation due to COPD.Conclusion: Therefore, we should strengthen the guidance of diet and living habits of obese patients. For patients with heavier weight and higher body fat rate, they should be instructed to lose weight and fat to prevent the occurrence of COPD. For obese patients with COPD, more attention should be paid to prevent the occurrence of acute exacerbation of COPD in advance.

The Association between Dyslipidemia and Pulmonary Diseases

Dyslipidemia is one of the most common diseases worldwide. As a component of metabolic syndrome, the prevalence and mechanism by which dyslipidemia promotes cardiovascular diseases has been well studied, although the relationship between pulmonary diseases is not well understood. Because the lung is a respiratory organ with a large surface area and is exposed to the environment outside the body, it continuously inhales various substances. As a result, pulmonary diseases have a vast diversity, including chronic inflammatory diseases, allergic diseases, cancers, and infectious diseases. Recently, growing evidence has suggested that dyslipidemia plays a role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of various pulmonary diseases. We herein review the current understanding of the relationship between dyslipidemia and pulmonary diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, and lung cancer, and infectious pulmonary diseases, including community-acquired pneumonia, tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, and COVID-19. In addition, we focus on recent evidence of the utility of statins, specifically 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coA reductase inhibitors, in the prevention and treatment of the various pulmonary diseases described above.

Limited Use and Potential Implementation Hurdles of Telemedicine Tools for the Remote Management of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Members of SEPAR

Introduction

Telemedicine (TM) can help in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study examines knowledge, current use and potential limitations for practical implementation of TM for the remoted management of COPD patients among members of the COPD area of SEPAR (n = 3118).

Methods

An electronic survey was circulated three times to these 3118 health-care professionals. Their knowledge, current use and potential limitations for implementation of different forms of TM, including tele-monitoring, tele-education and self-care, tele-rehabilitation and mobile health, for the remote management of COPD patients were tabulated and described.

Results

Only 120 health-care professionals responded to the survey (3.9%). The rate of response varied greatly across different Autonomous Communities (AACC); 99.2% of responders declared being aware of TM, but only 60.5% knew about the different TM alternatives investigated here, and only 40.3% actually used some form of TM for their current management of patients with COPD. Of those using TM, 47.1% referred being satisfied with its use. Main identified barriers for implementation of TM in their institutions were technological limitations and data security.

Conclusions

The potential of TM for the clinical management of COPD is well known among interviewed health-care professionals, but only less than half used it currently. The potential for growth is therefore clear. We propose that SEPAR analyze critically this potential and promotes measures to achieve it for the benefit of COPD patients.

Triple Therapy and Clinical Control in B+ COPD Patients: A Pragmatic, Prospective, Randomized Trial

INTRODUCTION

Treatment with LABA/LAMA is recommended in GOLD B patients. We hypothesized that triple therapy (LABA/LAMA/ICS) will be superior to LABA/LAMA in achieving and maintaining clinical control (CC), a composite outcome that considers both impact and disease stability in a subgroup of GOLD B patients (here termed GOLD B+ patients) characterized by: (1) remaining symptomatic (CAT≥10) despite regular LABA/LAMA therapy; (2) having suffered one moderate exacerbation in the previous year; and (3) having blood eosinophil counts (BEC) ≥150cells/μL.

METHODS

The ANTES B+ study is a prospective, multicenter, open label, randomized, pragmatic, controlled trial designed to test this hypothesis. It will randomize 1028 B+ patients to continue with their usual LABA/LAMA combination prescribed by their attending physician or to begin fluticasone furoate (FF) 92μg/umeclidinium (UMEC) 55μg/vilanterol (VI) 22μg in a single inhaler q.d. for 12 months. The primary efficacy outcome will be the level of CC achieved. Secondary outcomes include the clinical important deterioration index (CID), annual rate of exacerbations, and FEV1. Exploratory objectives include the interaction of BEC and smoking status, all-cause mortality and proportion of patients on LABA/LAMA arm that switch therapy arms. Safety analysis include adverse events and incidence of pneumonia.

RESULTS

The first patient was recruited on February 29, 2024; results are expected in the first quarter of 2026.

CONCLUSIONS

The ANTES B+ study is the first to: (1) explore the efficacy and safety of triple therapy in a population of B+ COPD patients and (2) use a composite index (CC) as the primary result of a COPD trial.

Identifying COPD patients with poor health status and low exercise tolerance through the five-repetition sit-to-stand test and modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Score

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine whether the concomitant presence of poor health status (COPD Assessment Test, CAT ≥ 10 points) and low exercise tolerance (6-Minute Walking Test, 6MWT < 350 m) is associated with worse clinical characteristics in patients with COPD. In addition, we aimed to develop a readily applicable diagnostic model to discriminate COPD patients with these conditions.

METHODS

A cross-sectional multicenter study involving 208 stable COPD patients (FEV1/FVC < 0.7, smoking history of at least 10 pack-years, and chronic respiratory symptoms) was carried out. The outcome measures were the 6MWT, CAT score, 5-repetition sit-to-stand test (5STS) and modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC). Patients were categorized into three groups: no condition (6MWT ≥ 350 m and CAT < 10 points), one condition (6MWT < 350 m or CAT ≥ 10 points), and both conditions (6MWT < 350 m and CAT ≥ 10 points).

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients (12,5%) presented both conditions. These patients experienced a higher degree of dyspnea (p = 0.001), smoking pack-years (p = 0.011), severe obstruction (p = 0.006), and time on 5STS (p = 0.001). The probability of having both conditions directly increased with the time spent on the 5STS (β=0.188; p = 0.010) and the degree of dyspnea (β=1.920; p < 0.001) (R2=0.413). The scoring system, using the 5STS and dyspnea as surrogate measures, demonstrated adequate calibration between the predicted and observed risk (linear R2=0.852).

CONCLUSIONS

COPD patients with concurrent conditions have worse clinical status. The diagnostic model developed to discriminate these patients shows good internal validation.

Expression of Siglec-9 in peripheral blood neutrophils was increased and associated with disease severity in patients with AECOPD

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis and treatment strategies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) require further exploration. Abnormal neutrophil inflammation and the overexpression of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are closely associated with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Siglec-9, a specific receptor expressed on neutrophils that inhibits their function, prompted us to investigate its relationship with NETs found in induced sputum and the severity of the disease.

METHODS

We collected clinical data from patients with AECOPD and assessed the expression of Siglec-9 in peripheral blood neutrophils and the presence of NETs in induced sputum. We then observed the correlation between Siglec-9, the inflammatory response, and the severity of AECOPD.

RESULTS

We observed an increase in the expression of Siglec-9 in the peripheral blood neutrophils of patients with AECOPD. Concurrently, these patients exhibited more severe clinical symptoms, higher systemic inflammation levels, and a reduced quality of life compared to those with induced sputum NET expression. Further subgroup analysis of AECOPD patients with high Siglec-9 expression revealed worsened quality of life and more severe inflammation, particularly in indicators such as the BODE index, CRP, peripheral blood neutrophil count, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α expression, and others. Furthermore, we noted a significant increase in NET-specific expression in the sputum of patients with high Siglec-9 expression levels. In comparison to patients with low Siglec-9 expression, those with high expression experienced more systemic inflammatory reactions and a lower quality of life. Correlation analysis of the aforementioned indicators revealed that the expression ratio of Siglec-9 in the peripheral blood of patients correlated with lung function, quality of life, and NETs in the induced sputum of patients with AECOPD.

CONCLUSION

The increased expression of Siglec-9 in peripheral blood neutrophils of AECOPD patients leads to elevated NET expression in induced sputum, exacerbating the systemic inflammatory response and worsening lung function and quality of life in these patients.

Multidisciplinary Management of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently coexist, increasing the prevalence of both entities and impacting on symptoms and prognosis. CVD should be suspected in patients with COPD who have high/very high risk scores on validated scales, frequent exacerbations, precordial pain, disproportionate dyspnea, or palpitations. They should be referred to cardiology if they have palpitations of unknown cause or angina pain. COPD should be suspected in patients with CVD if they have recurrent bronchitis, cough and expectoration, or disproportionate dyspnea. They should be referred to a pulmonologist if they have rhonchi or wheezing, air trapping, emphysema, or signs of chronic bronchitis. Treatment of COPD in cardiovascular patients should include long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMA) or long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) in low-risk or high-risk non-exacerbators, and LAMA/LABA/inhaled corticosteroids in exacerbators who are not controlled with bronchodilators. Cardioselective beta-blockers should be favored in patients with CVD, the long-term need for amiodarone should be assessed, and antiplatelet drugs should be maintained if indicated.

The Natural History of Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The SPOCCAT Study Protocol

Introduction

Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often underrepresented in cohorts, creating uncertainty about the natural history and prognostic factors of this subgroup. Our goal was to describe the SPOCCAT (Severe COPD: Prospective Observational study of COPD in Catalonia) study protocol.

Material and methods

SPOCCAT is a non-interventional, multicenter, prospective cohort study of patients with severe COPD (FEV1% predicted < 50%). The study aims to: (1) establish a five-year prospective cohort; (2) identify demographic and clinical characteristics; (3) describe treatment patterns; (4) better understand the natural history of severe COPD, including lung function decline, exacerbation rates, and mortality; and (5) identify prognostic factors for poor outcomes.Recruitment began in January 2024, and the cohort will be followed for a minimum of five years (or until death or lung transplant) with follow-up visits every 12 months. Baseline data include demographics, laboratory analyses, comorbidities, lung function, respiratory symptoms, respiratory disease exacerbations and etiology, quality of life, physical activity, chest computed tomography, and treatment. Annual follow-up visits will assess changes in treatment, exacerbation frequency and severity, microbiological outcomes, complementary tests, and mortality. Participation requires written informed consent from all patients, with data collected in an anonymized electronic Case Report Form.

Results

The results of the SPOCCAT study will provide relevant information about the characteristics, treatment, and prognostic factors of severe COPD.

Conclusions

SPOCCAT has the potential to enhance understanding of severe COPD, exploring innovative aspects and establishing a robust research framework for future COPD-related projects.

Dynamic hyperinflation is a risk factor for mortality and severe exacerbations in COPD patients

OBJECTIVE

To assess if dynamic hyperinflation is an independent risk factor for mortality and severe exacerbations in COPD patients.

METHODS

A cohort of 141 patients with stable COPD and moderate to very severe airflow limitation, treated according to conventional guidelines, was followed for a median of 9 years. Clinical characteristics were recorded and arterial blood gases, pulmonary function tests, 6-min walk and incremental exercise test with measurement of respiratory pattern and operative lung volumes were performed. Endpoints were all-cause mortality and hospitalization for COPD exacerbation.

RESULTS

58 patients died during the follow-up period (1228 patients x year). The mortality rate was higher in patients with dynamic hyperinflation (n = 106) than in those without it (n = 35) (14.6; 95% CI, 14.5-14.8 vs. 7.2; 95% CI, 7.1-7.4 per 1000 patients-year). After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, pack-years and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, dynamic hyperinflation was associated with a higher mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.725; 95% CI, 1.010-8.161), and in a multivariate model, comorbidity, peak oxygen uptake and dynamic hyperinflation were retained as independent predictors of mortality. The time until first severe exacerbation was shorter for patients with dynamic hyperinflation (aHR, 3.961; 95% CI, 1.385-11.328), and dynamic hyperinflation, FEV1 and diffusing capacity were retained as independent risk factors for severe exacerbation. Moreover, patients with dynamic hyperinflation had a higher hospitalization risk than those without it (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.574; 95% CI, 1.087-2.581).

CONCLUSION

In stable COPD patients, dynamic hyperinflation is an independent prognostic factor for mortality and severe exacerbations.

Evidence-based simulation: Fostering competency through structured and multisource feedback

ABSTRACT

Preclinical simulation is an evidence-based method for nurse practitioner (NP) students to improve clinical communication and disease management competency. During simulation, students may receive feedback from multiple sources, including standardized patients (SPs), faculty, peers, and themselves. Although evidence supports simulation with multisource feedback, its impact on clinical knowledge and communication has yet to be evaluated among NP students. We designed, implemented, and evaluated a preclinical simulation program with structured multisource feedback integrated into a disease management course within a Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum. Differences in communication self-efficacy and disease management knowledge before and after participation, as well as perceptions of learning and importance of varying feedback sources, were evaluated using a single group pre-post mixed-methods design. On average, clinical communication self-efficacy was significantly higher, and disease management knowledge scores were significantly higher after participation. Learners rated feedback sources as important or very important and described varying feedback sources as complementary. Feedback from SPs, peers, learners themselves, and faculty was complementary and important to learning. This preclinical simulation program with purposeful integration of multisource feedback provides an evidence-based foundation for scaffolding multidomain competency development into curriculums to meet updated standards of advanced nursing education.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality in Spain between 1999 and 2019

INTRODUCTION

Mortality from COPD has decreased in Spain in recent years, but it is unknown whether this decline has been homogeneous among the different regions.

METHODS

From the Statistical Portal of the Ministry of Health of Spain we obtained the age-adjusted mortality rates/100,000 inhabitants for men and women in Spain and the Autonomous Communities for the years 1999-2019, using the coding of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10, sections J40-J44). With the adjusted rates we performed a jointpoint regression analysis to estimate an annual percentage change (APC), as well as identify possible points of trend change. Statistical significance was considered for a value of p<0.05.

RESULTS

During the study period, COPD mortality rates adjusted in Spain decreased from 28.77 deaths/100,000 inhabitants in 1999 to 12.14 deaths/100,000 inhabitants in 2019. We observed a linear decline in COPD mortality in men at national level of -3.67% per year (95% CI -4.1 to -3.4; p<0.001), with differences between the Autonomous Communities. Mortality in women also experienced a decrease in mortality in two phases, with a first period from 1999 to 2006 with a fall of -6.8% per year (95% CI -8.6 to -5.0; p<0.001) and a second period from 2006 to 2019 with a decrease in mortality of -2.1% (95% CI -2.8 to -1.3; p<0.001), with again differences between the Autonomous Communities.

CONCLUSION

Mortality rates from COPD have decreased heterogeneously among the different Autonomous Communities in both men and women.

The short- and long-term effects of lower limb endurance training on outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE

To explore the short- and long-term effects of lower-limb endurance training on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outpatients.

DESIGN

Prospective quasi-experimental study.

SETTING

1383-bed teaching hospital in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

Overall, 69 outpatients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were enrolled. A total of 60 patients completed the study.

INTERVENTION

Training group: Lower-limb endurance training; control group: Education only.

MAIN MEASURES

The modified medical research council score, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test score, pulmonary function test, and number of acute exacerbation within a year.

RESULTS

The training group showed significant improvement in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test total score, modified medical research council score (both P < 0.001) at third month sustaining to 12th month (P < 0.001) and presented less events of acute exacerbation (P = 0.011) at 12th month. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test decreased by 8 points sustaining to 12th month. The training group presented significant post-training functional capacity improvements in 6-min walking distance, lowest oxygen saturation during 6-min walking test, peak workload, maximum inspiratory/ expiratory pressures, and calf circumference.

CONCLUSIONS

The lower-limb endurance training improved perceived dyspnea in daily activity and health status after completion of training and sustaining for a year. The lower-limb endurance training alleviated disease impacted on reduced acute exacerbations.

Inhaler Adherence in COPD: A Crucial Step Towards the Correct Treatment

COPD is a typical example of chronic disease. As such, treatment adherence tends to be as low as between 30% and 50%, with specific issues in COPD due to the use of inhaled therapies. Decreased adherence in COPD is associated with worse outcomes, with increased risk for exacerbations and long-term mortality. Factors that impact adherence are multiple, some related to patient, some related to clinicians and finally some related to healthcare system. Among clinician factors, prescription of simplified treatment regimens delivered by an inhaler adapted to the patient's characteristics is crucial. Although it has been observed a huge improvement in the design and usability of inhaler devices for COPD in the last two centuries, there is still a clear gap in this field. Smart inhalers as well as simplified treatment regimens could improve adherence and therefore improve long-term outcomes in COPD.

Silent Airway Mucus Plugs in COPD and Clinical Implications

BACKGROUND

Airway mucus plugs are frequently identified on CT scans of patients with COPD with a smoking history without mucus-related symptoms (ie, cough, phlegm [silent mucus plugs]).

RESEARCH QUESTION

In patients with COPD, what are the risk and protective factors associated with silent airway mucus plugs? Are silent mucus plugs associated with functional, structural, and clinical measures of disease?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We identified mucus plugs on chest CT scans of participants with COPD from the COPDGene study. The mucus plug score was defined as the number of pulmonary segments with mucus plugs, ranging from 0 to 18, and categorized into three groups (0, 1-2, and ≥ 3). We determined risk and protective factors for silent mucus plugs and the associations of silent mucus plugs with measures of disease severity using multivariable linear and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Of 4,363 participants with COPD, 1,739 had no cough or phlegm. Among the 1,739 participants, 627 (36%) had airway mucus plugs identified on CT scan. Risk factors of silent mucus plugs (compared with symptomatic mucus plugs) were older age (OR, 1.02), female sex (OR, 1.40), and Black race (OR, 1.93) (all P values < .01). Among those without cough or phlegm, silent mucus plugs (vs absence of mucus plugs) were associated with worse 6-min walk distance, worse resting arterial oxygen saturation, worse FEV1 % predicted, greater emphysema, thicker airway walls, and higher odds of severe exacerbation in the past year in adjusted models.

INTERPRETATION

Mucus plugs are common in patients with COPD without mucus-related symptoms. Silent mucus plugs are associated with worse functional, structural, and clinical measures of disease. CT scan-identified mucus plugs can complement the evaluation of patients with COPD.

Evaluation of Different Doses in Inhaled Therapy: A Comprehensive Analysis

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is a considerable degree of confusion over the dosage of inhaled medications. Here, we carried out a review of all the doses used for the devices used in inhalation therapy.

METHODS

We first performed a systematic search of the different inhalation devices included on the July 2023 Spanish Ministry of Health Billing List. We then consulted the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products to find the updated official label and to obtain the information on the exact composition.

RESULTS

We identified 90 unique products, of which 22 were long-acting bronchodilators (and combinations thereof) and 68 were products containing inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Overall, 10 products with bronchodilators and 40 with ICS were marketed with the metered dose, while 11 with bronchodilators and 28 with ICS were marketed with the delivered dose. In addition, in some bronchodilators, the drug was referred to as a type of salt, whereas in others the information referred to the drug itself.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that for each inhaled drug there may be up to four different doses and that the marketed name may refer to any of these. Clinicians must be aware of these different dosages when prescribing inhaled medications.

Exploring Current Concepts and Challenges in the Identification and Management of Early-Stage COPD

The need to improve health outcomes, as well as disease prognosis, has led clinicians and researchers to propose new ways of identifying COPD in its earliest forms. This initiative is based on the hypothesis that an earlier intervention would have a greater prognostic impact. However, the operational definition of a patient in the initial stages of the disease is complex, and there is still no unanimously accepted definition. GOLD has recently proposed different concepts to identify COPD in its early stages, such as COPD in young people or COPD with mild functional impairment. In addition, GOLD proposes two other concepts, called pre-COPD (symptomatic non-obstructive patients) and PRISm (preserved ratio with impaired spirometry), which aim to identify the patient at risk of developing this chronic airflow obstruction. However, despite the attractiveness of these concepts, none have been taken up universally by the medical community. A universally accepted identification of how to define COPD in its early stages is necessary as a preliminary step in order to design clinical trials to find out the best way to treat these patients. This review deals with these concepts of COPD at the onset of the disease, highlighting their importance and the problems involved in identifying them as therapeutic targets in real clinical practice.

Airway Epithelium Senescence as a Driving Mechanism in COPD Pathogenesis

Cellular senescence is a state of permanent cell cycle arrest triggered by various intrinsic and extrinsic stressors. Cellular senescence results in impaired tissue repair and remodeling, loss of physiological integrity, organ dysfunction, and changes in the secretome. The systemic accumulation of senescence cells has been observed in many age-related diseases. Likewise, cellular senescence has been implicated as a risk factor and driving mechanism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. Airway epithelium exhibits hallmark features of senescence in COPD including activation of the p53/p21WAF1/CIP1 and p16INK4A/RB pathways, leading to cell cycle arrest. Airway epithelial senescent cells secrete an array of inflammatory mediators, the so-called senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), leading to a persistent low-grade chronic inflammation in COPD. SASP further promotes senescence in an autocrine and paracrine manner, potentially contributing to the onset and progression of COPD. In addition, cellular senescence in COPD airway epithelium is associated with telomere dysfunction, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. This review discusses the potential mechanisms of airway epithelial cell senescence in COPD, the impact of cellular senescence on the development and severity of the disease, and highlights potential targets for modulating cellular senescence in airway epithelium as a potential therapeutic approach in COPD.

Assessment of Five Questionnaires for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Southern Italian Population: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Background and Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing burden to society, and remains underdiagnosed in Italy. This study aimed at evaluating five validated screening questionnaires to consider which one was the most accurate, and the optimal cut-off score for each to be considered for the Southern Italian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 144 patients were recruited in the study. The age range was 46-85 years. All subjects underwent spirometry, and completed the five questionnaires: CDQ, LFQ, COPD-PS, COPD-SQ, and CAPTURE. Receiver-operator curves (ROC) were drawn for each questionnaire. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), values for the optimal cut-off score and previously recommended score were calculated and compared. Results: Of the questionnaires, the CDQ, LFQ, and COPD-SQ had significant differences between COPD (n = 86) and non-COPD (n = 52) groups. The AUCs for each questionnaire with (95%CI) were: CAPTURE, 0.602 (0.431-0.773); CDQ, 0.714 (0.555-0.872); LFQ, 0.331 (0.183-0.479; COPD-PS, 0.652 (0.497-0.807); and COPD-SQ, 0.679 (0.520-0.837). Only the CDQ and COPD-SQ had significant AUC screening characteristics. The optimal cut-off values for the CDQ, LFQ, and COPD-PS were modified to 22, 10, and 4, respectively. The COPD-SQ remained at 17. Conclusion: The CDQ and COPD-SQ can discriminate between individuals with and without COPD in the Italian population. The CDQ has a moderate screening accuracy, and the COPD-PS and COPD-SQ have low accuracy, when the optimal cut-off scores are used. Of the five questionnaires assessed, the CDQ and COPD-SQ questionnaires could be used for screening for COPD in the Southern Italian population.