The recently updated GOLD report includes evidence from 7 Cochrane Airways systematic reviews, helping to align it with the latest and best available evidence.
Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) is usually caused by smoking or other airway irritants. COPD damages the lungs and causes airways to narrow which makes it difficult to breathe.
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) works with healthcare professionals and public health officials worldwide to raise awareness of COPD and improve the prevention and treatment of this lung disease. The GOLD strategy document for diagnosing, managing, and preventing COPD and the corresponding pocket guide is developed for healthcare professionals based on the best scientific information available. This global evidence-based document is used as a tool to implement effective management programs based on local healthcare systems around the world.
"The GOLD Report is the most widely accepted and followed COPD guideline," explains Emma Jackson, Managing Editor of Cochrane Airways. "We were pleased to see that 7 Cochrane Airways systematic reviews were added to the GOLD Report 2023 recommendations for the first time; over 35 Cochrane Reviews are already referenced in the GOLD Report."
"Cochrane is a not-for-profit organization with collaborators from more than 190 countries working together to produce credible, accessible health information that is free from commercial sponsorship and other conflicts of interest,” says Rebecca Fortescue, Co-ordinating Editor for Cochrane Airways Editor. “Cochrane Reviews are known as the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to health evidence synthesis. We are delighted to see that 7 Cochrane Airway reviews were added in the 2023 GOLD Report to help align clinical practice with the latest and best available evidence.”
The seven reviews included in the 2023 Report for the first time are:
- Dual combination therapy versus long‐acting bronchodilators alone for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of COVID-19
- Interventions to improve adherence to pharmacological therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Integrated disease management interventions for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Chronic non-invasive ventilation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Self-management interventions for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Mucolytics for bronchiectasis
Lead author of the review on dual combination inhaler therapy, Yuji Oba says, “COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Inhaler therapy is the mainstay treatment of COPD and the choice of inhalers is of paramount importance for patients and healthcare providers. The 2018 Cochrane review addressed which inhaler was the most efficacious and safe in the advanced form of COPD. We are proud to see the GOLD Report was updated and modified the first choice of inhaler treatment based on our Cochrane review. We are currently updating this Cochrane review and are looking forward to having our work contribute to future GOLD Reports."
