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With a disease as complex as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), identifying the risk of onset is incredibly difficult. While traditional risk factors, such as smoking, are primary indicators, new emerging risk factors are becoming more clear.
The findings of the recent MESA Lung Study and SPIROMICS analysis determined that genetic lung variants play a significant role in identifying COPD risk. This is pivotal information in helping transform the way we think about COPD, help implement preventative measures, diagnose it, and potentially even treat it.
The good news is—you can test for genetic lung variants through a low-dose CT scan. This will help identify any concerns in a manner that inflicts the least harm to the patient.
While these new insights are extremely valuable, the question is: how can you use them today to detect COPD risk earlier? Read on for our insider tips on how to put this information into practice and leverage it to drive health.
Of course a patient’s lifestyle is a big contributor to COPD risk, but it should not be the sole focus. The data in the MESA Lung Study and SPIROMICS analysis proved that a patient’s race can play a major role.
Why? Because genetic lung variants have been shown to be more common in specific races—making them more susceptible to COPD even if they are making healthy lifestyle choices.
As the study suggests, host factors beyond smoking can significantly contribute to COPD risk. This is why testing patients early on for genetic lung variants is so important. Early testing helps clearly identify the presence of a genetic lung variant that raises COPD risk, before major lung function decreases. It also creates opportunities for physicians to personalize disease prevention and treatment based on a patient’s lung variant.
As genetics are now being recognized as a critical risk factor, be sure to test descendants of your current patients. Even in the absence of traditional risk factors, identifying these patients’ risks earlier supports better long-term health management.
While smoking is often recognized as the greatest COPD risk factor, this study has proven that patients with other factors can also be at high risk. This knowledge can help redefine your approach to patient management. With it, you can take further measures to maintain wellness and support better outcomes from the start.
As further information is released on genetics and COPD risk, rely on COPD insider to help you operationalize it. Good luck.
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