title: Czech multicenter research database of severe COPD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been recognized as a heterogeneous, multiple organ system-affecting disorder. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) places emphasis on symptom and exacerbation management. The aim of this study is examine the course of COPD and its impact on morbidity and all-cause mortality of patients, with respect to individual phenotypes and GOLD categories. This study will also evaluate COPD real-life patient care in the Czech Republic.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Czech Multicentre Research Database of COPD is projected to last for 5 years, with the aim of enrolling 1,000 patients. This is a multicenter, observational, and prospective study of patients with severe COPD (post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second ≤ 60%). Every consecutive patient, who fulfils the inclusion criteria, is asked to participate in the study. Patient recruitment is done on the basis of signed informed consent. The study was approved by the Multicentre Ethical Committee in Brno, Czech Republic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The objective of this paper was to outline the methodology of this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The establishment of the database is a useful step in improving care for COPD subjects. Additionally, it will serve as a source of data elucidating the natural course of COPD, comorbidities, and overall impact on the patients. Moreover, it will provide information on the diverse course of the COPD syndrome in the Czech Republic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Barbora
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Novotna
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Koblizek
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital, Palacky University, Olomouc, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jaromir
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zatloukal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plutinsky
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hejduk
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zbozinkova
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jarkovsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Praha, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Ondrej
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sobotik
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Hospital Bulovka, Praha, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dvorak
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital, Charles University, Plzen, the Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Safranek
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D016208:Databases, Factual; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D058996:Quality Improvement; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: all-cause mortality; comorbidities; exacerbations; phenotypes; prospective study