Deepak, V

Abstract Background Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are particularly vulnerable to severe respiratory infections. While COVID-19 vaccination has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing severe disease in the general population, its real-world impact on clinical outcomes among COPD patients remains underexplored. Understanding these outcomes could strengthen vaccination advocacy and guide COPD management strategies. Research Question Does COVID-19 vaccination reduce the risk of mortality, COPD exacerbations, and mechanical ventilation in adults with COPD? Methods We conducted a retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study using the TriNetX US Collaborative Network, which aggregates de-identified electronic health records from 72 healthcare organizations. Adults with COPD were identified using ICD-10 code J44 and spirometric confirmation (FEV1/FVC ≤ 70%). Cohorts were divided by COVID-19 vaccination status, identified through CPT and RxNorm codes. The index date was defined as the earliest qualifying encounter, with outcomes assessed thereafter.Primary outcome was all-cause mortality; secondary outcomes included COPD exacerbation (J44.1) and mechanical ventilation (ICD-10-PCS 5A1945Z). Propensity-score matching (1:1) was performed on age, sex, race, comorbidities, and baseline clinical characteristics, yielding balanced cohorts (n = 3,969 each). Risk ratios (RR), hazard ratios (HR), and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were calculated, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results After matching, median follow-up was 894 days for the unvaccinated group and 886 days for the vaccinated group. All-cause mortality 23.8% (942/3,954) in unvaccinated vs 11.1% (442/3,968) in vaccinated; RR 2.14 (95% CI 1.93-2.37); HR 1.80 (95% CI 1.60-2.02); p < 0.001. COPD exacerbations 31.3% (1,243/3,969) in unvaccinated vs 25.3% (1,006/3,969) in vaccinated; RR 1.24 (95% CI 1.15-1.33); HR 1.24 (95% CI 1.14-1.35); p < 0.001. Mechanical ventilation 1.8% (72/3,902) in unvaccinated vs 0.8% (30/3,928) in vaccinated; RR 2.42 (95% CI 1.58-3.69); HR 2.06 (95% CI 1.33-3.18); p = 0.001. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated consistently higher survival and event-free probabilities among vaccinated patients across all outcomes. Conclusions In this large, real-world analysis, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with significantly lower risks of all-cause mortality, COPD exacerbations, and need for mechanical ventilation. These findings emphasize the importance of vaccination as a key component of COPD care, supporting its inclusion in quality-improvement metrics and clinical counseling for patients with chronic lung disease. This abstract is funded by: None

Abstract Background Obesity contributes to worse symptoms and exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) improve weight and metabolic profiles and have emerging pulmonary benefits. However, their real-world impact on respiratory outcomes in patients with COPD and obesity is not well established. Research Question Among obese adults with COPD, is GLP-1 RA use associated with reduced risk of COPD exacerbations, acute respiratory failure, and all-cause mortality compared with those not receiving GLP-1 therapy? Methods We conducted a retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study using the TriNetX U.S. Collaborative Network. Adults aged ≥40 years with COPD (ICD-10 J44) and BMI ≥30 kg/m² were included. The exposed cohort comprised patients prescribed GLP-1 RAs (lixisenatide, albiglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, semaglutide, or exenatide), while comparators had no exposure. The index event was the first date meeting inclusion criteria. Outcomes were analyzed beginning 180 days after index to minimize reverse causation, excluding those with prior events. Propensity score matching (1:1) balanced demographics, comorbidities, laboratory data, and medication use, yielding 2,795 patients per group. Primary outcomes included the risk (≥1 event within window) of COPD exacerbation, acute respiratory hypoxic and/or hypercapnic failure leading to hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. Risk difference (RD), risk ratio (RR), and odds ratio (OR) were calculated; Kaplan-Meier and log-rank testing assessed time-to-event. Results After matching, baseline characteristics were well balanced. GLP-1 RA use was associated with significantly lower risk across all outcomes:COPD Exacerbation (J44.1): 18.2% (No GLP-1) vs 11.2% (GLP-1); RD 7.0%, RR 1.63 (95% CI 1.36-1.94); p = 0.042.Acute Hypoxic and/or Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure (J96.x): 19.2% vs 11.5%; RD 7.7%, RR 1.67 (1.42-1.96).All-Cause Mortality: 14.6% vs 7.6%; RD 7.0%, RR 1.92 (1.64-2.25); p = 0.010. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated significantly improved survival in the GLP-1 group for mortality and COPD exacerbation outcomes. Conclusions In obese adults with COPD, GLP-1 RA therapy was associated with clinically and statistically significant reductions in COPD exacerbations, acute respiratory failure, and all-cause mortality. These findings suggest that GLP-1 RAs may offer dual metabolic and pulmonary benefits and warrant evaluation as adjunctive therapy in future prospective trials. This abstract is funded by: None