Treatable traits and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The key objective of the project is to study the trajectory and mechanisms around the acutely exacerbated patient phenotype in COPD and recognize traits that predict future exacerbations. We hope to identify personalized approaches to treating exacerbations through the use of personalized interventions such as nasal high flow and auto-epap. With a prospective cohort study, we will recruit all COPD exacerbation patients (approx. 100) to study their lung physiology and evaluate physical and psycho-social function through the use of validated tests such as 6-minute walk distance, handgrip, sit-to-stand and anxiety/depression scores. We will compare similar parameters in the outpatient setting to characterise the trajectory of the exacerbation.