PCSK9 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: However, PCSK9-GS was also associated with higher risk of hospitalization with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD: n = 6836; 1.38 (1.08–1.76); P = 0.0089] and with even higher risk of fatal exacerbations amongst individuals with pre-existing COPD [n = 730; 3.61 (1.71–7.60); P = 7.3 × 10−4].