Rapid decline in lung function and its consequences

Symposium
Chairs: I. Annesi-Maesano (Paris, France), A. Gulsvik (Bergen, Norway)
Aims: The aims of this symposium are:
• to highlight novel results from longitudinal studies of lung function, including studies of incident COPD, in order to clarify the importance of early identification of subjects with rapid decline of lung function;
• to examine causes of rapid decline other than obstructive airway diseases.

Does rapid decline predict poor prognosis? P. Bakke (Bergen, Norway)
Rapid decline in lung disease other than COPD: when should lung transplantation be considered? J. Orens (Baltimore, United States of America)
Rapid decline in neuromuscular disease: when should home mechanical ventilation be considered? M. Polkey (London, United Kingdom)