RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Core outcome set for the management of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the COS-AECOPD ERS Task Force study protocol JF ERJ Open Research JO erjor FD European Respiratory Society SP 00193-2020 DO 10.1183/23120541.00193-2020 VO 6 IS 3 A1 Alexander G. Mathioudakis A1 Fekri Abroug A1 Alvar Agusti A1 Per Bakke A1 Konstantinos Bartziokas A1 Bianca Beghe A1 Andras Bikov A1 Thomas Bradbury A1 Guy Brusselle A1 Cordula Cadus A1 Courtney Coleman A1 Marco Contoli A1 Alexandru Corlateanu A1 Olga Corlateanu A1 Gerard Criner A1 Balazs Csoma A1 Alexander Emelyanov A1 Rosa Faner A1 Gustavo Fernandez Romero A1 Zeineb Hammouda A1 Peter Horváth A1 Arturo Garcia Huerta A1 Michael Jacobs A1 Christine Jenkins A1 Guy Joos A1 Olga Kharevich A1 Konstantinos Kostikas A1 Elena Lapteva A1 Zsofia Lazar A1 Joerg D. Leuppi A1 Carol Liddle A1 Alejandra López-Giraldo A1 Vanessa M. McDonald A1 Rune Nielsen A1 Alberto Papi A1 Isabel Saraiva A1 Galina Sergeeva A1 Agni Sioutkou A1 Pradeesh Sivapalan A1 Elizabeth Stovold A1 Hao Wang A1 Fuqiang Wen A1 Janelle Yorke A1 Paula R. Williamson A1 Jørgen Vestbo A1 Jens-Ulrik Jensen YR 2020 UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/6/3/00193-2020.abstract AB Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the management of COPD exacerbations evaluate heterogeneous outcomes, often omitting those that are clinically important and patient relevant. This limits their usability and comparability. A core outcome set (COS) is a consensus-based minimum set of clinically important outcomes that should be evaluated in all RCTs in specific areas of health care. We present the study protocol of the COS-AECOPD ERS Task Force, aiming to develop a COS for COPD exacerbation management, that could remedy these limitations.For the development of this COS we follow standard methodology recommended by the COMET initiative. A comprehensive list of outcomes is assembled through a methodological systematic review of the outcomes reported in relevant RCTs. Qualitative research with patients with COPD will also be conducted, aiming to identify additional outcomes that may be important to patients, but are not currently addressed in clinical research studies. Prioritisation of the core outcomes will be facilitated through an extensive, multi-stakeholder Delphi survey with a global reach. Selection will be finalised in an international, multi-stakeholder meeting. For every core outcome, we will recommend a specific measurement instrument and standardised time points for evaluation. Selection of instruments will be based on evidence-informed consensus.Our work will improve the quality, usability and comparability of future RCTs on the management of COPD exacerbations and, ultimately, the care of patients with COPD. Multi-stakeholder engagement and societal support by the European Respiratory Society will raise awareness and promote implementation of the COS.The COS-AECOPD @EuroRespSoc Task Force is developing a core outcome set (COS) for #COPD exacerbation management. COS is an agreed minimum set of clinically important outcomes to be evaluated in all RCTs and can improve their usability and comparability. https://bit.ly/3ftAXk6