The EXACERBANTES Study (Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease According to the ANTES Proposal): Rationale, Goals and Design

Introduction: COPD exacerbations (ECOPD) are complex events that demand a personalized approach. A novel patient-centered approach focuses on the identification of treatable traits (TTs) has recently been proposed. Objectives: during exacerbations using handheld microspirometers; and (6) comparing lung function during the acute phase with measurements taken 90 days later. Material and methods: Prospective, multicenter, observational study involving patients diagnosed with ECOPD in PC and HC. The PC cohort will undergo routine and advanced testing including ECG, microspirometry, and capillary C-reactive protein (CRP). The HC cohort will undergo additional assessments such as blood tests, arterial blood gases, chest-X-test, and biomarkers (CRP, troponin T, NT-proBNP, D-dimer). Patients will be re-evaluated 90 days after the index event. The estimated sample size for the primary objective is 397 patients. The first patient was recruited on December 13, 2024; results are expected in the first quarter of 2026. Conclusions: The EXACERBANTES study offers a framework to explore TTs in ECOPD and to develop a personalized, outcome-oriented treatment strategy.