The Austrian LEAD Study (Lung, Heart, social, Body)–
A longitudinal study investigating health challenges in Pulmonology

While data for mortality and morbidity of COPD is missing in Austria, a recent cross­sectional study in the city of Salzburg, Austria showed that the overall prevalence of GOLD stage I or higher COPD was 26.1% (similar for women and men). Moreover this study revealed that the prevalence of GOLD stage II or higher COPD was 10.7% and 1% of the population met the criteria for GOLD stage III or IV. Although the study protocol showed limitations, e.g male and female were older than 40 years, this investigation emphasised the impact of this disease in Austria.

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for COPD and Respiratory Epidemiology, initiated in 2002, is located at the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Otto Wagner Hospital, Vienna, with the aim to encourage clinical and translational research within the Competence Center of Pulmonology in Vienna. Within the last two years the LBI-COPD comprised 1 head, 3 group leaders, 5 research fellows, 4 research associates, and 1 secretarial assistance. Head and Group leaders are employees of and payed by the City of Vienna and are staff members at the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine with specific scientific interest in various aspects of COPD.