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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Moving Cupping Along Meridians for Acute Exacerbation of COPD
Published on: September 27, 2024
Fifteen-year mortality of patients with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome
Claudio Sorino1, Claudio Pedone2, Nicola Scichilone3
1Biomedical Department of Internal and Specialist Medicine, Section of Pulmonology, University of Palermo, Italy; Division of Pulmonology, ASST Lariana S. Anna Hospital of Como, Italy.
Background:
The coexistence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (asthma-COPD overlap syndrome: ACOS) is increasingly recognized but data about its prevalence and long-term mortality are needed.
Methods:
Prevalence of ACOS and 15-year mortality rates were assessed in 1065 subjects aged >65years, enrolled in the SA.R.A. study, with complete clinical, lung functional and follow-up data. Physical performance, disease-related disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) were also evaluated.
Results:
ACOS was found in 11.1% of subjects (29.4% of those previously diagnosed with COPD and 19.7% of those with asthma). ACOS was positively associated with impaired physical performance, functional ability, and HRQL. Individuals with ACOS had higher mortality rates than controls (7.17 per 100 person-years; mortality rate ratio: 1.83). After adjustment for the main confounders, the risk of all-cause mortality remained significantly increased in subjects with ACOS (HR: 1.82), COPD (HR: 2.12), and restriction (HR: 2.41), but not asthma.
Conclusions:
Long-term prognosis of ACOS was similar to COPD, and worse than asthma and healthy controls. ACOS had a significant impact on physical performance, functional ability, and HRQL.
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