Pulmonary Therapy最新文献

The evidence that tobacco cigarettes are harmful to the health of smokers led to the introduction of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) as a safer alternative. ENDS, which include electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) and heated tobacco products (battery-operated devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol), are portable, cheap, easy-to-use, self-powered devices, and resemble tobacco cigarettes. After an overview of the toxicological, clinical, and epidemiological implications associated with the increasingly widespread use of ENDS, this narrative paper evaluates their role as a smoking cessation aid. Randomized controlled trials show that e-cigs can help in achieving cigarette smoking cessation, but their role in real life is still debated. There is no clear association in current smokers between the prevalence of e-cig use and overall quit rates. Although ENDS are not Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- and European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved for quitting, they are one of the most widely utilized pharmacological support devices for smoking cessation. Physicians should ask for ENDS use and amount at each visit, be able to advise on how to manage ENDS as an aid for quitting, encourage vapers not to continue their use indefinitely, and explain how to stop ENDS.

Introduction: A common complication of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and worsened quality of life. In ILD, evaluating for PH is recommended prior to lung transplantation. However, this is not standardized or routinely performed in earlier stages of ILD, and guidelines lack an evidence-based approach for PH screening in this population. Furthermore, right-heart catheterization (RHC) access can be limited in many settings. The objective of PHINDER (Pulmonary Hypertension Screening in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease for Earlier Detection) is to prospectively develop screening strategies for PH in patients with ILD.

Methods: PHINDER is a prospective, non-interventional study that will enroll approximately 200 patients with ILD treated in a variety of settings in the United States (community centers, academic institutions, etc.). Patients must be diagnosed with ILD by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and must not have a previously reported mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) > 20 mmHg. To enrich the population for PH, patients must meet additional criteria on Pulmonary Function Tests, HRCT, signs/symptoms, 6-min walk test, or echocardiography. Patients will undergo a variety of routine ILD clinical assessments. Lastly, patients receive a RHC to assess for PH, defined as mPAP > 20 mmHg with pulmonary arterial wedge pressure ≤ 15 mmHg and a pulmonary vascular resistance > 2 Wood Units. All treatment decisions are at the discretion of the provider and not influenced by study participation.

Planned outcomes: Following study completion, statistical tools will be used to derive a practical model for a screening algorithm using the variables identified in the study as most predictive of PH in patients with ILD.

Conclusions: Using a previously developed list of clinical assessments from PH and ILD experts, the PHINDER study aims to be the first prospectively enrolled study to evaluate prognostic screening strategies that can be used to develop an algorithm to predict the risk of PH in patients with ILD.

Trail registration: NCT05776225.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator modulators (CFTRm) have transformed CF care, shifting treatment from only managing symptoms to also addressing the underlying defects that cause CF. CFTRm first entered clinical practice in 2012 and was followed by additional CFTRm combinations-including the approval of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) in 2019-which treats most CF genotypes.

Methods: We identified peer-reviewed literature for a narrative review (January 1990 to January 2025) describing longitudinal trends in CF survival and age of death and assessing the influence of CFTRm, particularly ELX/TEZ/IVA. To supplement the existing literature, a secondary analysis of historical, longitudinal trends in the United States CF Foundation Patient Registry (U.S. CFFPR, 1990-2023) was conducted using recent available data.

Results: Quantitative data from published studies show that the median age of survival and death increased over time but with varying magnitudes across regions. Most cohort and registry-based studies were conducted in settings where CFTRm were not yet widely available, limiting the evaluation of CFTRm effects on survival trends over time. In the secondary U.S. CFFPR analysis, the median survival age increased from 29.0 years in 1990 to 38.6 years in 2012 prior to the introduction of CFTRm and to 68.0 years in 2023, demonstrating substantial improvement following the introduction of CFTRm. Linear regression analyses showed gains in median survival age increased from 0.48 years per year prior to CFTRm to 4.79 years per year after approval of ELX/TEZ/IVA in 2019.

Conclusions: Study results provide initial evidence of the impact of CFTRm to meaningfully improve survival. Longer-term follow-up data across geographies will provide a deeper understanding of the full impact of CFTRm on predicted CF survival and mortality.

Respiratory infections are a major cause of mortality among young children and adults, particularly the elderly or those with underlying medical conditions. Many respiratory infections, including influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), have available vaccines and antiviral agents. However, vaccine coverage rates remain low. Experts representing a broad spectrum of medical specialties from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made evidence-based recommendations on treating patients considered high risk for respiratory infections, highlighting gaps in current practices and suggesting strategies for improved communication between healthcare professionals and patients. To effectively manage respiratory infections, the experts emphasized the importance of adhering to guidelines, considering all vaccines and antiviral treatments, and strictly following vaccination schedules. Early testing upon recognition of symptoms was also encouraged. Improving vaccine uptake was considered crucial and could be achieved by educating patients about disease prevention through vaccines and the role of antiviral treatments for COVID-19. Addressing knowledge gaps and combating vaccine hesitancy among both patients and healthcare professionals were also essential steps. Recommendations for future initiatives include healthcare professionals educating the public on precautionary measures to reduce the spread of respiratory infections. Additionally, the experts agreed that clinical management guidelines for chronic diseases should be updated to include preventative strategies such as vaccines, prophylaxis, and counselling. Monitoring the performance of healthcare facilities using key performance indicators is also recommended to ensure effective management and continuous improvement of vaccination programs. Patient populations in the UAE who are considered at high risk of serious disease from respiratory infections have diverse medical needs and may access healthcare across a wide range of settings and specialisms. Therefore, it is vital that all healthcare professionals across specialisms who may engage with these individuals are able to provide appropriate advice on managing the risk through vaccination, prompt testing, and treatments as needed.

In this concise article, we give a current overview of the practical approach to diagnosing pleural mesothelioma (PM). PM is a rare, incurable, aggressive cancer almost exclusively related to previous asbestos exposure. We begin by outlining the general approach to pleural malignancy. The focus then shifts to pleural mesothelioma (PM), with discussions on cytological analyses, a direct-to-thoracoscopy approach, specialist services, and future directions. This narrative review aims to provide an updated, practical overview of current and emerging diagnostic strategies.

Introduction: Responder analyses provide information about characteristics associated with therapeutic benefits. Short-term responses may predict long-term benefits. We evaluated responders, clinically important improvement (CII), disease stability (DS), and the relation of short- to long-term responses in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in ELLITHE.

Methods: ELLITHE was a multicenter, open-label, non-interventional effectiveness study between 2020 and 2022 evaluating the effects of treatment initiation with once-daily single-inhaler triple therapy (odSITT) FF/UMEC/VI (100/62.5/25 µg via ELLIPTA) on COPD Assessment Test (CAT), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), and exacerbations over 12 months. Post hoc responder analyses for CAT (≥ 2 units improvement), FEV₁ (≥ 100 ml change), and exacerbations (no event) were performed. Composite endpoints CII and DS (CII = response to at least two outcomes; DS = absence of clinically important deterioration for all outcomes) were also evaluated.

Results: A total of 786 patients had available data for any analysis. At study completion, 53.3% of patients were CAT, 36.7% FEV₁, and 90.2% exacerbation responders, with 22.1% responding to all outcomes; 64.3% had a CII, and 52.7% showed DS. CII and DS were more frequent in subjects with higher baseline CAT score, and DS in patients  on prior ICS/LABA therapy (all p < 0.05). Early (3 months) CAT, FEV₁ and CII response strongly predicted respective responses at study end (odds ratios = OR ranging from 6.3 to 7.4), and DS (OR from 3.0 to 4.2). In the patient subset with available baseline eosinophil counts, response was generally similar at < 150 versus ≥ 150 cells/μl.

Conclusions: Despite overlapping responses to single and composite outcomes with odSITT, individual patterns support a multidimensional approach to evaluate benefits in COPD. Responders had higher baseline CAT scores and frequency of prior dual therapies. Short-term responses of FEV₁ and/or CAT were reasonable predictors of long-term responses, including DS. DS was achievable for the majority of patients and may represent a useful outcome for future COPD research and management.

The spectrum of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) includes a wide range of clinical entities with variable disease courses and prognoses. Several ILDs other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) may exhibit a progressive fibrotic phenotype, with diverse clinical presentation, histopathological and radiological patterns, as well as varying rates of disease progression and uncertain epidemiology, but with a similar prognosis of untreated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with irreversible lung function deterioration, substantial worsening of quality of life and early mortality. The recently defined term "progressive pulmonary fibrosis" (PPF) stands as an opportunity to better classify patients with progressive fibrotic disease and other IPF, irrespective of the underlying ILD. The definition of disease progression, including factors such as pulmonary function test decline, radiological progression, and symptomatic worsening, was not adopted until recently, thus significantly impacting the certainty of current estimates of incidence and prevalence and prognostic outcomes. Understanding disease progression in the broad spectrum of potentially progressive ILDs is key for developing standardized management algorithms irrespective of the ILD diagnosis. Current evidence points towards the potential beneficial effect of antifibrotic drugs in lung function decline and overall outcomes in several non-IPF progressive ILDs showing progression despite optimal management.

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are commonly coexisting conditions, significantly impacting patient health and quality of life. Despite their interrelation, diagnosing allergic rhinitis in patients with asthma remains challenging, leading to underdiagnosis and suboptimal management. The expert consensus engaged a modified Delphi method involving 29 experts including pulmonologists, ear, nose, and throat surgeons, and allergologists. Through group discussions, consensus statements were developed regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Final consensus statements were formulated based on the experts' collective clinical judgment and experience. This expert consensus provides updated recommendations tailored to the Indian context, addressing the gaps in existing research and clinical practice. By promoting a systematic and evidence-based approach to diagnosis and management, this consensus aims to support clinicians in effectively identifying and treating allergic rhinitis in patients with asthma, thereby improving overall disease management and patient well-being.

Introduction: ARISE was a global clinical trial designed to generate evidence demonstrating the utility of the patient-reported outcome instruments Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) [Respiratory Domain (RD) only] and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form v1.0-Fatigue 7a (PROMIS F SF-7a) in patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (MACLD). Here, we describe trial conduct, patient characteristics, and patient-reported symptoms at baseline among patients enrolled in ARISE.

Methods: Adult patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent non-cavitary MACLD who had not initiated antibiotic treatment for their current MAC infection were enrolled; data including comorbidities and prior MACLD history were collected during screening. Symptom burden was assessed using QOL-B, PROMIS F SF-7a, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) questionnaires.

Results: Of 99 patients from 12 countries enrolled in ARISE, the median age was 69.0 years; most were white (80.8%) and female (77.8%). This was the first diagnosis of MACLD for 72.7% of patients. Patients frequently reported having a comorbid respiratory disorder: bronchiectasis (49.5%), asthma (21.2%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (16.2%). At baseline, mean (± SD) and median QOL-B RD scores were 65.0 (± 15.3) and 66.7; PROMIS F SF-7a T-scores were 53.8 (± 8.2) and 55.1; and FACIT-Fatigue scores were 35.0 (± 9.6) and 37.0.

Conclusions: Patients in ARISE were representative of a real-world patient population with MACLD. Comorbid chronic respiratory diseases were common in patients with new or recurrent MACLD, and substantial disease burden at the time physicians initiated MACLD treatment was evidenced by impairment across measures of fatigue and QOL-B domains.

Clinicaltrials:

Gov identifier: NCT04677543.

Introduction: Asthma is a complex airways disease that affects over 350-million people worldwide. It is estimated that up to 10% of adults and 2.5% of children with asthma have severe disease, which is associated with reduced physical activity. The introduction of biological therapies has revolutionised the management of severe asthma; however, it remains to be determined whether this translates into improvements in physical activity status.

Method: This 1-year retrospective study evaluated step-based physical activity (via a smartphone pedometer) in adults with severe asthma (n = 20) and two matched sub-groups (n = 20 mild asthma and n = 20 healthy controls).

Results: The annual daily step count was significantly less in adults with severe asthma (4698 ± 1927) versus mild asthma (7239 ± 1815) (P = 0.009) and healthy controls (8252 ± 2115) (P = 0.001). No difference in physical activity was observed between those with mild asthma and healthy controls (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Despite long-term treatment with biological therapies, physical activity remains significantly lower in adults with severe asthma. The development of personalised evidence-based interventions to promote physical activity in people with severe asthma remains a priority.