TY - JOUR 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 DO - 10.1183/23120541.00193-2020 VL - 6 IS - 3 SP - 00193-2020 AU - Alexander G. Mathioudakis AU - Fekri Abroug AU - Alvar Agusti AU - Per Bakke AU - Konstantinos Bartziokas AU - Bianca Beghe AU - Andras Bikov AU - Thomas Bradbury AU - Guy Brusselle AU - Cordula Cadus AU - Courtney Coleman AU - Marco Contoli AU - Alexandru Corlateanu AU - Olga Corlateanu AU - Gerard Criner AU - Balazs Csoma AU - Alexander Emelyanov AU - Rosa Faner AU - Gustavo Fernandez Romero AU - Zeineb Hammouda AU - Peter Horváth AU - Arturo Garcia Huerta AU - Michael Jacobs AU - Christine Jenkins AU - Guy Joos AU - Olga Kharevich AU - Konstantinos Kostikas AU - Elena Lapteva AU - Zsofia Lazar AU - Joerg D. Leuppi AU - Carol Liddle AU - Alejandra López-Giraldo AU - Vanessa M. McDonald AU - Rune Nielsen AU - Alberto Papi AU - Isabel Saraiva AU - Galina Sergeeva AU - Agni Sioutkou AU - Pradeesh Sivapalan AU - Elizabeth Stovold AU - Hao Wang AU - Fuqiang Wen AU - Janelle Yorke AU - Paula R. Williamson AU - Jørgen Vestbo AU - Jens-Ulrik Jensen Y1 - 2020/07/01 UR - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/6/3/00193-2020.abstract N2 - 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 ER -