Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33527075›Full record

ArticleERJ open research2021

COPD in the time of COVID-19: an analysis of acute exacerbations and reported behavioural changes in patients with COPD.

Hamish McAuley, Kate Hadley, Omer Elneima, Christopher E Brightling, Rachael A Evans, Michael C Steiner, Neil J Greening

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in ERJ open research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 58 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
58citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

58 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  8. Associations of Prepandemic Lung Function and Structure with COVID-19 Outcomes: The C4R Study.American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine · 2025
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  16. COPD Exacerbations Before and During COVID-19 in France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US.International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · 2024
    Article
  17. Balancing the value and risk of exercise-based therapy post-COVID-19: a narrative review.European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society · 2023
    Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Hamish McAuleyDept of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8997-0764
Kate HadleyInstitute for Lung Health, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
Omer ElneimaDept of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Christopher E BrightlingDept of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Rachael A EvansDept of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1667-868X
Michael C SteinerDept of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Neil J GreeningDept of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0453-7529

Funding

Department of Health PDF-2017-10-052
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and associated "lockdown" measures on acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the change in AECOPD treatment frequency during the first 6 weeks of lockdown in the UK compared with 2019 and assess changes in self-reported behaviour and wellbeing.

methodsIn this observational study in Leicestershire, UK, patients with COPD under a secondary care clinic were recruited. Exacerbation frequency in the first 6 weeks of COVID-19 lockdown was compared with the same period in 2019 using electronic health records. A telephone survey was used to assess changes in anxiety, inhaler adherence, physical activity and behaviour during the pre-lockdown and lockdown periods compared with normal.

results160 participants were recruited (mean±sd age 67.3±8.1 years, 88 (55%) males, mean±sd forced expiratory volume in 1 s 34±13% pred). 140 (88%) reported at least one AECOPD in the previous year. Significantly more community managed exacerbations were observed in 2020 compared with 2019 (126 DISCUSSION: During lockdown participants reported significantly increased anxiety, adherence to their preventative inhalers and good adherence to shielding advice (all p<0.001). A significant reduction in self-reported physical activity and visitors was reported (both p<0.001).

conclusionsTreatment for AECOPD events increased during the first 6 weeks of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the UK compared with 2019. This was associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and significant behavioural change.

Identifiers

PMID33527075
PMCPMC7607968

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.