COPD exacerbations and cardiovascular comorbidities

<bold>Introduction:</bold> COPD is a major public health concern associated with acute exacerbations and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and mortality. <bold>Objectives:</bold> To describe the burden of CVD in patients treated for COPD in France and its relation with COPD acute exacerbations (AE) and maintenance treatment. <bold>Methods:</bold> A retrospective cross-sectional study from November 2022 to October 2023 using IQVIA's LTD^® database (covering 47 million of patients with drug deliveries from a panel of 10,000 retail pharmacies). COPD patients were identified using a dedicated algorithm. <bold>Results:</bold> 1,562,499 patients treated for COPD [mean age: 70 years, 39% of women, 2.2 treated comorbidities in average] were identified. 67% were treated for a CVD, mainly by ACE inhibitors /angiotensin II receptor blockers (61.5% of COPD patients with CVD), antiplatelets (44%) and beta-blockers (36%); 7% had heart failure (HF). 51% had ≥1 moderate AE (≥2 AE: 22%) treated with antibiotics (44%)/oral corticosteroids and antibiotics (43%) over the study period; similar proportions were observed in patients with CVD (except in patients with HF: 56% ≥1 and 26% ≥2 AE). 58% of patients received a dual inhaled therapy (LABA/ICS for 67% of them), with similar patterns in patients with CVD (56% and 65%, respectively). Around 62% of patients had visited a general practitioner, 13% a pulmonologist, 25% both and 5% a cardiologist (8% in patients with CVD, 17% for patients with HF). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> In COPD patients, CVD are frequent but are not associated with specific patterns in terms of AE and inhaled therapy as compared to all COPD patients. Coordination of healthcare professionals for holistic management of COPD patients is crucial.