Asthma-COPD Overlap: Updated Concept, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment

Asthma COPD Overlap – Updated Concept, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment is a definitive and up-to-date resource that unpacks the complex clinical entity of Asthma-COPD Overlap (ACO). With increasing recognition of ACO as a distinct condition with overlapping features of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, this book provides a holistic and evidence-based exploration of its diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management.

This comprehensive text delves into the controversies and challenges surrounding ACO, including debates over diagnostic criteria, prognosis, and treatment response. It examines the latest insights into molecular mechanisms such as nitrosative stress, presents data from advanced diagnostic technologies like high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and the forced oscillation technique (FOT), and reviews cutting-edge therapeutic strategies, including ICS/LAMA/LABA combinations and biologics.

Written for a diverse audience—from early learners to seasoned clinicians and researchers—it bridges clinical practice and translational science, making it a valuable reference for improving outcomes in patients with overlapping airway diseases.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Exploration of ACO:
• Defines and clarifies the diagnostic criteria of ACO.
• Reviews the latest epidemiological trends and clinical characteristics.
• Highlights the distinctions and overlaps between asthma and COPD at molecular, physiological, and radiological levels.
• Advanced Pathophysiological Insights:
• Discusses novel molecular mechanisms, including oxidative and nitrosative stress.
• Integrates findings from animal models to explain emerging ACO mechanisms.
• Innovative Diagnostic Tools:
• Presents research using HRCT, spirometry, and forced oscillation techniques to reveal subtle differences in airway dynamics and lung structure.
• Reviews the role of radiological and physiological markers in early detection and differentiation of ACO.
• State-of-the-Art Treatment Strategies:
• Evaluates current and emerging pharmacological therapies, including triple inhaler therapy (ICS/LAMA/LABA) and biologic agents.
• Discusses the personalized application of these treatments based on biomarker profiling and patient phenotypes.
• Multidisciplinary Appeal:
• Aimed at clinical physicians, pulmonologists, supervisors, allied health professionals, and basic researchers.
• Encourages a collaborative approach to diagnosis and management through integration of clinical insights and research findings.
• Educational and Practical Value:
• Ideal for both novice readers seeking foundational knowledge and experienced professionals seeking the latest research updates.
• Helps guide clinical decision-making and the design of future research into airway disease overlap syndromes.