Lung cancer, neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal comorbidities are major drivers of transitioning from a never to frequent exacerbator phenotype in COPD and cardiovascular comorbidities significantly impact mortality[1]. Therefore early identification and management of comorbidities besides promoting smoking cessation and vaccination is key to optimize quality of life and prognosis in patients with COPD[1]. An early identification requires markers which help to stratify patients into groups at increased risk where management may be intensified.
