International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD and Frailty: Novel Insights, Intersecting Pathways, and Integrated Care

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and frailty frequently co-occur, representing a complex clinical overlap with profound implications for patient outcomes. Frailty, a multisystem state of increased vulnerability to stressors, affects a substantial proportion of individuals with COPD, far exceeding prevalence rates observed in the general population. The bidirectional relationship between respiratory impairment and systemic frailty is driven by shared pathophysiological mechanisms, including chronic systemic inflammation, sarcopenia, persistent oxidative stress, physical inactivity, and metabolic dysregulation. Despite growing clinical recognition, the intersecting biological and physiological pathways linking progressive airway disease to physical and cognitive frailty remain insufficiently understood. Investigating these novel insights is essential to elucidate how respiratory decline accelerates multisystem decline and to identify therapeutic targets capable of interrupting this mutually reinforcing cycle.

The convergence of COPD and frailty poses severe challenges for clinical management, leading to heightened risks of acute exacerbations, emergency hospitalizations, functional dependence, reduced health-related quality of life, and increased mortality. Conventional disease-centric management strategies for COPD often fail to address the complex multidimensional needs of frail individuals, leading to suboptimal therapeutic responses and adverse outcomes. Understanding the shared pathophysiological drivers and clinical trajectories of COPD and frailty is crucial for moving beyond single-disease approaches toward integrated, person-centered care models. By elucidating early diagnostic biomarkers, refined functional assessment tools, and targeted interventions, clinicians can better stratify risk and personalize care plans. Addressing this intersection is urgently needed to lessen the healthcare burden, enhance patient autonomy, and optimize clinical outcomes in an aging global population.

This Article Collection aims to compile cutting-edge research and clinical evidence on the biological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of frailty in COPD. We welcome original research articles, systematic and narrative reviews, clinical trials, and perspective pieces addressing, but not limited to, the following subtopics:

• Shared pathophysiological pathways, systemic inflammation, and muscle wasting in COPD and frailty.
• Biomarkers and diagnostic tools for early frailty screening in chronic respiratory disease.
• Impact of frailty on COPD exacerbation frequency, hospitalization rates, and survival outcomes.
• Tailored non-pharmacological interventions, including adapted pulmonary rehabilitation, nutritional strategies, and exercise training.
• Multidisciplinary and person-centered integrated care models for frail respiratory patients.
• Pharmacological considerations, polypharmacy management, and safety in frail COPD cohorts.

Keywords

• COPD
• Frailty
• Systemic Inflammation/ inflammaging
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Older adults

­­All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30^st September 2027.

Please contact Zhiyuan Zhang at zhiyuan.zhang@taylorandfrancis.com with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system. Failure to select the appropriate Article Collection or Section name can result in delays.

Guest Advisor

Dr. Francisco José Tarazona-Santabalbina, MD, PhD, is a geriatrician and researcher specializing in frailty, sarcopenia, and the management of older adults with chronic conditions, including COPD. His research focuses on the interaction between frailty and chronic disease, with particular interest in functional outcomes, multimorbidity, and integrated care pathways. As President of the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SEGG), he promotes multidisciplinary approaches to healthy ageing and person-centred care. He has published extensively on frailty and geriatric medicine and contributes to national and international research collaborations in ageing and chronic disease management.