[Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome].

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Immunology

Background:

• Obstructive lung diseases, including bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are significant global health issues with substantial socioeconomic impact.
• While distinct in their development, diagnosis, and treatment, asthma and COPD can coexist, forming a complex phenotype known as asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS).
• ACOS poses a clinical and research challenge due to limited patient inclusion in trials, resulting in a lack of defined characteristics and treatment guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and consolidate existing literature on asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS).
• To elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ACOS.
• To outline the clinical presentation and discuss potential therapeutic interventions for patients with ACOS.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies focusing on asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.
• Analysis of pathophysiological pathways implicated in ACOS.
• Synthesis of clinical findings and current therapeutic strategies reported in the literature.

Main Results:

• ACOS is characterized by features of both asthma and COPD, including airway inflammation and incompletely reversible airflow obstruction with increased variability.
• Patients with ACOS often exhibit distinct clinical profiles compared to those with isolated asthma or COPD.
• Current therapeutic approaches for ACOS are extrapolated from asthma and COPD treatments, with ongoing research needed for optimized management.

Conclusions:

• Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) represents a distinct clinical entity requiring further investigation.
• Understanding the unique pathophysiology and clinical features of ACOS is crucial for developing targeted treatment strategies.
• Further research and clinical trials are essential to establish evidence-based guidelines for managing patients with ACOS.