Landmark ICRA Meta-analysis Links COPD to Serious Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes

People living with common lung disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face substantially higher risks of developing serious kidney and cardiovascular diseases, and a greater risk of death, according to a major new study led by Dr Tobin Joseph and the International Cardiovascular and Respiratory Alliance (ICRA) that was published in eClinicalMedicine.

The analysis, which included more than 30 million people worldwide, adds to growing evidence that COPD is far more than a lung disease and highlights the importance of identifying and managing cardiopulmonary risk earlier.

A Landmark Global Analysis

This study is the largest and most comprehensive review to date examining the association between COPD and future cardiovascular, kidney and mortality outcomes. Researchers analysed data from 140 studies, including more than 3 million people with COPD, to better understand how the disease impacts health beyond the lungs.

The Hidden Risks of COPD

The findings show that people with COPD are at significantly greater risk of a range of serious health conditions compared with those without COPD. The strongest associations were seen for heart failure, peripheral arterial disease and chronic kidney disease, while risks of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality were also substantially elevated.

Importantly, these associations remained consistent across multiple sensitivity analyses, strengthening confidence in the findings.

Strengthening the Focus on Cardiopulmonary Risk

The results support ICRA's ongoing work to improve recognition and management of cardiopulmonary risk in COPD. While care has traditionally focused on respiratory symptoms and exacerbations, the study highlights the need for a broader approach that also addresses cardiovascular and kidney health.

“This study reinforces the importance of looking beyond the lungs when caring for people with COPD,” said ICRA Co-Chair, Professor Chris Gale. “By demonstrating associations between COPD and major cardiovascular and kidney outcomes, these findings strengthen the case for earlier identification and management of cardiopulmonary risk to help improve long-term patient outcomes.”

Driving Better Outcomes for Patients

This study may help inform future clinical trials, healthcare policy and integrated care strategies aimed at reducing the burden of multimorbidity in COPD. They also highlight opportunities to improve outcomes through earlier identification and management of cardiovascular and kidney risk, particularly in community settings.

ICRA congratulates the international team of collaborators on this important contribution to advancing understanding of the links between respiratory, cardiovascular and kidney disease. The study represents another significant step towards improving outcomes for people living with COPD worldwide.

Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104131 

For more information, contact ICRA via ICRAComms@optimumpatientcare.org  

Reference: Joseph T, Gao C, Nadarajah R, Al-Lehebi R, Alves L, Berg D.D, Couper A, Datta I, Eleyan L, Haris M, Hawkins N, Hurst JR, Jenkins CR, Kaplan A, Kocks JWH, Kostikas K, Lam CSP, Laperre T, Martinez F,  Mircescu A, Montero Arias MF, Nadeem U, Nguyen L, Wignall K, Pullen R, Raveendra K, Rhee CK, Sattar N, Stolz D, Sun Y, Tse G, Winders T, Price DB, Bhutani M, Wu J, Gale CP.  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and risk of incident cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and death: Systematic review and meta-analysis.  eClinicalMedicine 2026;98: 104131.