Effect of a single exacerbation on decline in lung function in COPD

BackgroundCOPD exacerbations are associated with accelerated lung function decline, but whether they are causal is unknown. We evaluated the effect of a single exacerbation on rate of lung function change using data from the 4-year Understanding Potential Long-term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT®) trial.MethodsRetrospective analysis of annual rates of decline in FEV1 and FVC before and after a single (and the only)...