GSK’s COPD.com Relaunch Promotes Understanding and Dialogue about COPD

“I’m a former nurse, a respiratory specialist, and I am a COPD patient,” said Edna, 69, who was diagnosed with COPD in 2000. Edna is one of nine patients who shares her testimonials of life with COPD on the site. There are multiple vignettes from each patient, which can be accessed to gain insights from their experiences.¹ 

“Somebody said, ‘It’s the little things that count’,” Edna adds in her testimonial. “I think staying positive is the biggest little thing.”

Hear Edna’s testimonial.

The revamped COPD.com offers user–friendly tools and helpful guidance to enhance patient awareness about COPD. It is uniquely designed to put first–hand accounts by patients like Edna at the center of the user experience. The overhaul of COPD.com aims to help patients with COPD, by encouraging COPD education and strengthening dialogue between patients, their caregivers and healthcare providers.

COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.² Its symptoms include chronic cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Almost 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, and another estimated 12 million may be undiagnosed.³

On the site, people with COPD are invited to take steps to strengthen their relationships with healthcare providers, work closely with their physician to develop an individualized COPD action plan, be inspired by other patients’ experiences, and learn how to educate others close to them about COPD.

“COPD can be very challenging to manage, both physically and emotionally,” said Dr. Courtney Crim,  Director of Respiratory Clinical Development at GSK. “The new COPD.com is about providing a shared experience of what it’s like to live with COPD, promoting understanding and dialogue about the disease, and helping people adjust to the day–to–day challenges that come with COPD.”

The site includes the “Take One Step” feature, which allows people with COPD to set manageable, personal goals and create a step–by–step action plan. It also offers “Doc Talk,” which provides ideas and specific actions to foster a strong relationship with healthcare providers, with tools and suggestions for each office visit.

“My relationship with my doctor brought up a lot of really good information,” says Phil, now 65, in the “Partnering with your Healthcare Team” section. He was diagnosed with COPD in 1995.  “Anyone who has this disease, they firmly, absolutely have to have a good relationship with their doctor.” 

Hear Phil’s testimonial.

Other features included on the site allow people to:

• Learn about COPD basics, including symptoms, diagnosis and exacerbations
• Create a personalized page to track their goals, action plans and articles of interest
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of the members of their care team
• Connect with support groups 

Visit www.COPD.com to learn more.

About COPD
COPD is a disease of the lungs that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema or both. COPD is characterized by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimates that nearly 27 million people in the U.S. alone are affected by COPD.³

According to the NHLBI, long–term exposure to lung irritants that damage the lungs and the airways are usually the cause of COPD. In the United States, the most common irritant that causes COPD is cigarette smoke. Breathing in second–hand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes or dust from the environment or workplace also can contribute to COPD. Most people who have COPD are at least 40 years old when symptoms begin.

GSK – one of the world’s leading research–based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com.

GSK Cautionary statement regarding forward–looking statements
GSK cautions investors that any forward–looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D ‘Risk factors’ in the company's Annual Report on Form 20–F for 2013.

¹ GSK paid patients in the videos on COPD.com for their time and expense in sharing their experiences living with COPD.
² National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Take the First Step to Breathing Better. Learn More about COPD. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/copd/what-is-copd/index.htm
³ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 2012 Chart Book on Cardiovascular, Lung, and Blood Diseases. February 2012. Page 5. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/research/2012_ChartBook.pdf