COPD dashboard: About official documents, authors, science, health status and boards

Abstract

The document by CAZZOLA et al. [1] provides excellent and long needed progress for guiding and standardising use of appropriate outcome measures in clinical trials of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As the science evolves in the area of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outcomes, users should look out for important developments in the field, including revisions of the document. The input from scientists who focus on evidence appraisal and knowledge translation, and thorough review by societies in collaboration with Task Forces aims to further improve documents. Thus, we need to acknowledge and recognise that we are trying to "hit a moving target" where the "target" is the best evidence and "hitting" refers to the decision by societies whether the document is appropriate for official adoption. The primary outcomes for clinical trials are those that are patient-important: mortality, morbidity and quality of life. Trials must focus on their use. Surrogates can help to draw conclusions about these patient-important outcomes but do require careful validation before they are used in clinical trials. Finally, we must realise that there are many and different skills required for sitting at the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other dashboards. Skill training in the identification and assessment of evidence as well as document development are urgently needed to compliment the expertise of others. As always, open collaboration focusing on the best evidence will move us in the right direction. Copyright©ERS Journals Ltd 2008.