RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Discordant diagnostic criteria for pneumonia in COPD trials: a review JF European Respiratory Review JO EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW FD European Respiratory Society SP 210124 DO 10.1183/16000617.0124-2021 VO 30 IS 162 A1 Wise, Robert A. A1 Bafadhel, Mona A1 Crim, Courtney A1 Criner, Gerard J. A1 Day, Nicola C. A1 Halpin, David M.G. A1 Han, MeiLan K. A1 Lange, Peter A1 Lipson, David A. A1 Martinez, Fernando J. A1 Maselli, Diego J. A1 Midwinter, Dawn A1 Singh, Dave A1 Zysman, Maeva A1 Dransfield, Mark T. A1 Russell, Richard E.K. YR 2021 UL https://publications.ersnet.org//content/30/162/210124.abstract AB Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have a class effect of increasing pneumonia risk in patients with COPD. However, pneumonia incidence varies widely across clinical trials of ICS use in COPD. This review clarifies methodological differences in defining and recording pneumonia events in these trials and discusses factors that could contribute to the varying pneumonia incidence. Literature searches and screening yielded 40 relevant references for inclusion. Methods used to capture pneumonia events in these studies included investigator-reported pneumonia adverse events, standardised list of signs or symptoms, radiographic confirmation of suspected cases and/or confirmation by an independent clinical end-point committee. In general, more stringent pneumonia diagnosis criteria led to lower reported pneumonia incidence rates. In addition, studies varied in design and population characteristics, including exacerbation history and lung function, factors that probably contribute to the varying pneumonia incidence. As such, cross-trial comparisons are problematic. A minimal set of standardised criteria for diagnosis and reporting of pneumonia should be used in COPD studies, as well as reporting of patients’ pneumonia history at baseline, to allow comparison of pneumonia rates between trials. Currently, within-trial comparison of ICS-containing versus non-ICS-containing treatments is the appropriate method to assess the influence of ICS on pneumonia incidence.Trials of ICS in COPD use varying methods of reporting pneumonia incidence, which influence the interpretation of results. A minimal set of standardised criteria for pneumonia diagnosis would allow comparison of pneumonia incidence between trials. https://bit.ly/3nbkdoL