European Respiratory Review最新文献

The case fatality of tuberculosis (TB) has progressively decreased since the use of antibiotics in anti-TB treatment, leaving 155 million TB survivors alive in 2020. Of the 122 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to TB in 2019, 58 million DALYs were attributed to the post-TB phase. TB causes massive lung structure damage, declined lung function and excessive inflammation, which persist even after microbiological cure and predispose to multiple lung diseases (e.g. COPD, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, bronchiectasis and COVID-19). TB survivors also face a higher risk of cancers and cardiovascular diseases. These post-TB morbidities together with worse psychological and socioeconomic status lead to poor quality of life and a three- to four-fold higher mortality rate than the general population. Understanding the epidemiology of post-TB morbidities can help to set intervention and research priorities to lower public health burdens associated with post-TB morbidities. In this narrative review, we summarise what we know and do not know about the prevalence, risk factors and management of post-TB morbidities and their associated mortality. We identify the major post-TB morbidities based on current evidence. Delayed or incomplete TB treatment, residual lung structure damage and prolonged inflammation after TB treatment are important risk factors. Developing host-directed therapies to reduce lung structure damage, smoking cessation, implementing pulmonary rehabilitation to improve lung function and adopting well-tailored preventive strategies and screening protocols may improve the management of these post-TB morbidities and mortality and warrant future research.

This systematic review aims to summarise the impact of exercise training on peripheral muscle fatigability in people with COPD, addressing different assessment methods and exercise interventions (i.e. endurance, resistance and combined training).PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL and PEDro databases and trial registers were searched from inception to September 2024. We identified randomised and nonrandomised trials assessing pre-to-post-training changes in muscle fatigue resistance, assessed as a reduction in volitional or non-volitional measures of muscle strength or muscle total work output during standardised fatiguing protocols. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) and Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBIN-I) tools were used for assessing risk of bias in randomised controlled trials and nonrandomised studies of interventions, respectively, and meta-analyses were performed.A total of 20 studies (574 participants from 14 randomised controlled trials and 217 from six nonrandomised studies of interventions) were included. Overall, combined endurance and resistance training appeared to improve muscle fatigue resistance. While results varied by study design, type of training and fatiguing protocols, similar improvements were observed in quadriceps fatigue resistance regardless of the assessment method. In contrast, no significant improvements were observed in the fatigue resistance of the arm muscles. However, the presence of moderate to high risk of bias in several included studies may have influenced the results.The findings of this systematic review suggest a positive effect of exercise training in improving muscle fatigue resistance, particularly in the leg muscles, in people with COPD. Future research should establish standardised protocols for assessing muscle fatigability and explore alternative tools to facilitate the clinical implementation of muscle fatigability outcomes into COPD rehabilitation.

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases, such COPD and asthma, increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) through shared pathophysiological mechanisms and modifiable risk factors. There are a number of methods to assess ASCVD, and limited systematic information about how these may be applied to chronic respiratory diseases.

Objective: To systematically report existing methods of estimating ASCVD risk in chronic respiratory disease populations, highlighting strengths, limitations and clinical applicability.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL was conducted up to June 2025 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO identifier CRD42024543335). An extended search was also performed. To assess search sensitivity, a random sample of 30 studies from the extended search were reviewed. Key international clinical guidelines were examined for recommended tools. Studies assessing ASCVD risk in chronic respiratory disease populations were included. A narrative synthesis was employed.

Results: 63 studies from 26 countries identified 68 ASCVD risk assessment tools and biomarkers in chronic respiratory disease. Imaging techniques such as coronary artery calcium scoring, and carotid intima-media thickness provide detailed anatomical information, but require equipment and expertise. Risk scores (Framingham Risk Score; Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) are practical, although they lack precision at the individual level. Biomarkers and functional tests provide holistic measurements yet are often resource-demanding. Arterial stiffness measurement directly assesses vascular pathology and requires specialist equipment.

Conclusion: Multiple ASCVD risk assessment methods exist for chronic respiratory diseases, highlighting the need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of tools for tailored solutions. Future studies should address validation, accessibility and improved personalised risk stratification.

Introduction: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic disorder characterised by low circulating levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) protein, a key inhibitor of neutrophil elastase and proteinase 3 (PR3) which is also the main autoantigen in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). This systematic review examines the association between AATD and GPA.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, EBSCO Medline and Scopus (December 2024) identified studies on AATD and GPA. Data extraction and quality assessment followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to calculate pooled odds ratios and assess heterogeneity.

Results: 23 studies (9634 individuals) met inclusion criteria. The Z-allele prevalence was 11.65% in GPA compared to 3.29% in controls and the S-allele prevalence was 10.8% in GPA compared to 5.26% in controls. Among 1755 individuals with GPA across 10 studies that provided specific genotype data, 22 (1.25%) were homozygous for the Z-allele. Meta-analysis showed that Z-allele carriers had 3.11 times higher odds of developing GPA (eight studies; 95% CI 2.43-3.9; I²: 0%).

Conclusion: This meta-analysis reinforces the link between AATD and GPA, particularly in carriers of the Z-allele, supporting the role of PR3 dysregulation in GPA pathogenesis.

Background: Breathlessness is a debilitating symptom affecting many adults, yet its prevalence and correlates are not well summarised. This review synthesised evidence on breathlessness prevalence, correlates and assessment methods across general and clinical populations.

Methods: We undertook an umbrella review and updated systematic review using a comprehensive search of three databases up to January 2025. The umbrella review incorporated existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, while the updated systematic review and meta-analysis included original studies published after the most recent eligible review.

Results: The umbrella review encompassed 10 reviews conducted between 2010 and 2025, incorporating 315 studies. The primary tool for assessing self-reported breathlessness was the Medical Research Council questionnaire and its modified version (mMRC). The prevalence of breathlessness ranged from 0.9% to 61.6% in general populations and from 20.4% to 87% in clinical populations. Six categories of breathlessness correlates were identified: sociodemographic, physiological, clinical, psychological, environmental and radiological/pathological factors. An updated systematic review and meta-analysis found 15 studies published between 2021 and 2024 reporting prevalence of breathlessness. Using the most common criterion of an mMRC score ≥2, the pooled prevalence was 12.5% (range 3.7-29.5%) in general populations and 37.5% (range 27.5-48.6%) in clinical populations. These studies reported diverse correlates of breathlessness, including psychological and clinical factors.

Discussion: Substantial variability exists in the prevalence and correlates of breathlessness, emphasising its complexity and multifaceted nature. This review highlights the need for standardised assessment of breathlessness to assess prevalence and comprehensive approaches to address its diverse factors.

Background: Our recent systematic review highlighted key associations between ambient air pollution (AAP) exposure and COVID-19 severity. This systematic review aims to summarise toxicological studies on the biological mechanisms underlying these associations.

Methods: On 17 July 2025, PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for in vitro, in vivo and in silico studies that examined the biological mechanisms of AAP exposure on COVID-19 health outcomes. Two independent reviewers engaged in the selection and data extraction process. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed with the Toxicological Data Reliability Assessment Tool. The Integrated Network and Dynamical Reasoning Assembler (INDRA) was used to provide visual biomechanistic summaries of the included studies by creating knowledge graphs of the described mechanisms.

Results: A total of 18 studies were included in this review. Findings consistently indicated that AAP exposure can worsen COVID-19 severity through two key mechanisms 1) increased expression of viral entry factors (e.g. angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2), facilitating infection, and 2) immune dysregulation, resulting in increased inflammation and oxidative stress. These key mechanisms were also identified in the INDRA networks. While studies commonly focused on particulate matter (n=15), similar effects were seen with ultrafine particles and ozone.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the impact of AAP exposure on COVID-19 health outcomes on the molecular level. The findings of this review illustrate the urgent need for air quality improvements to help shape public health strategies to reduce and prevent future health impacts caused by AAP exposure.

Introduction: Diaphragm dysfunction is prevalent across various patient populations, requiring precise structural and functional assessment. Ultrasound, being bedside-accessible and radiation-free, has gained relevance for evaluating the diaphragm and other respiratory muscle. Recent advancements have introduced novel techniques that have expanding its assessment scope. This review aims to identify emerging ultrasound methods for quantitative diaphragm assessment in adults, emphasising reliability and clinical relevance.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using keywords related to the diaphragm, ultrasound techniques and innovation. We included original studies on adult participants using innovative ultrasound methods extending beyond conventional assessments. Studies lacking original data, case reports, animal studies and studies on automated analysis techniques were excluded. Screening and data extraction followed a structured process, with one researcher extracting data and a second verifying accuracy. Results were categorised by reliability and by physiological and clinical outcomes.

Results: Of 1411 records screened, 288 full-text articles were reviewed, and 36 studies met inclusion criteria, with four additional studies identified via reference analysis. These studies, published between 2013 and 2024, explored seven innovative techniques: the area method, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, echogenicity/echodensity, excursion of the zone of apposition, shear wave/strain elastography, speckle tracking and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging. Studies focused on both healthy subjects and critically ill, surgical and COPD patients.

Conclusions: Recent ultrasound advancements enhance diaphragm assessment by evaluating muscle quality, functional mechanical properties and blood flow. These innovative methods also provide alternatives when conventional approaches are limited. Further research is essential to refine protocols, validate clinical applications and standardise assessments for broader implementation.

Background: Aspiration community-acquired pneumonia (ACAP) is common among older adults and is associated with worse outcomes than nonaspiration community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Understanding these differences is essential for improving patient care.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of ACAP among pneumonia patients and compare clinical outcomes, including hospital length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and mortality rates, between patients with ACAP and those with CAP.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following MOOSE (Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Literature searches in PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar from January 1995 to January 2024 identified studies involving adults diagnosed with CAP or ACAP. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression analyses were conducted to identify sources of heterogeneity.

Results: 49 samples from 44 studies were included, encompassing 1 277 615 older adults (mean age 80.2 years). The pooled prevalence of ACAP was 25% (95% CI 19-31) and higher in studies with a mean age of 70 years or older at 32% (95% CI 25-39). Compared to CAP patients, those with ACAP had significantly longer hospital stays (mean difference 4.92 days, 95% CI 4.71-5.14), increased ICU admissions (risk ratio 2.33, 95% CI 1.77-3.07), higher in-hospital mortality (risk ratio 2.14, 95% CI 1.73-2.65), higher 30-day mortality (risk ratio 2.56, 95% CI 2.12-3.1), higher 1-year mortality (risk ratio 1.96, 95% CI 1.44-2.66) and greater recurrence rates (risk ratio 1.75, 95% CI 1.44-2.66). Meta-regression identified publication year, patient age, study design, nursing home residency and compliance with therapeutic guidelines as significant moderators explaining heterogeneity.

Conclusions: Patients with ACAP experience significantly worse clinical outcomes than those with CAP. These findings highlight the importance of early identification and management of aspiration risks, adherence to therapeutic guidelines and the need for standardised diagnostic criteria to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.