Non-interventional Study of COPD Patients With Asthma Overlap Syndrome in Viet Nam and Taiwan
Non-interventional Study of COPD Patients With Asthma Overlap Syndrome in Viet Nam and Taiwan
The purpose of this study to determine the proportion and clinical characteristics of COPD
 patients with asthma symptoms (ACOS) and describe current practices in diagnosis and
 management in Viet Nam and Taiwan.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and
 mortality. Around 15% to 20% of COPD patients would present with features of asthma and are
 considered to have the overlap syndrome of COPD and asthma, commonly called asthma-COPD
 overlap syndrome (ACOS). In Asia, specifically Taiwan, the overall prevalence of ACOS in
 patients with COPD is approximately 17.4%. COPD patients with asthma symptoms represent a
 relevant clinical population because they have worse health-related quality of life.

 Given the increased morbidity among COPD patients with asthma overlap, it is critical that
 these patients are properly characterized to aid the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The
 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung
 Disease (GOLD) guidelines have given joint recommendations on the identification, diagnosis
 and treatment of these patients. These recommendations have been adapted for use in the Asia
 Area countries. The primary objective of this study is to determine the proportion and
 clinical characteristics of patients with ACOS as defined by the joint GINA and GOLD
 recommendation amongst diagnosed COPD patients seen at the out-patient clinics.

 This study is planned to determine the proportion of patients with ACOS as defined by the
 joint GINA and GOLD recommendation amongst diagnosed COPD patients seen at the out-patient
 clinics
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  All patients with confirmed diagnosis of COPD {post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.7 (FEV1
 - forced expiratory volume at one second, FVC - forced vital capacity) based on the
 medical records}

 -  Aged >40 years old at time of diagnosis

 -  Seen at out-patient clinic

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients currently with acute exacerbation of COPD by GOLD definition (any worsening
 of a patient's respiratory symptoms that is beyond normal day-to-day variations and
 requires a change in medication)

 -  Patients with respiratory diseases that can show similar symptoms to chronic airway
 diseases such as bronchiectasis, tuberculosis (TB)-destroyed lung parenchyma,
 endobronchial TB, and lung cancer, or those who have history of these diseases based
 on physician's judgment

 -  Patients currently diagnosed with pneumonia and acute bronchitis

 -  Patients currently randomized in other clinical studies