Aspiration linked with severe COPD exacerbations: study

Australian researchers suggest a subset of patients may have a dysfunctional 'middle airway'
Clare Pain
senior man drinking tea at home

One in five patients with COPD may aspirate food or drink and this is associated with more severe exacerbations, Australian researchers say.

In their study, conducted at Monash Lung and Sleep at Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne, 151 patients with stable COPD underwent state-of-the-art videofluoroscopy while drinking 100mL of thin oral liquid barium contrast solution.