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Archivos de Bronconeumologia Apr 2024Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently coexist, increasing the prevalence of both entities and impacting on symptoms...
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently coexist, increasing the prevalence of both entities and impacting on symptoms and prognosis. CVD should be suspected in patients with COPD who have high/very high risk scores on validated scales, frequent exacerbations, precordial pain, disproportionate dyspnea, or palpitations. They should be referred to cardiology if they have palpitations of unknown cause or angina pain. COPD should be suspected in patients with CVD if they have recurrent bronchitis, cough and expectoration, or disproportionate dyspnea. They should be referred to a pulmonologist if they have rhonchi or wheezing, air trapping, emphysema, or signs of chronic bronchitis. Treatment of COPD in cardiovascular patients should include long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMA) or long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) in low-risk or high-risk non-exacerbators, and LAMA/LABA/inhaled corticosteroids in exacerbators who are not controlled with bronchodilators. Cardioselective beta-blockers should be favored in patients with CVD, the long-term need for amiodarone should be assessed, and antiplatelet drugs should be maintained if indicated.
Topics: Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases; Administration, Inhalation; Muscarinic Antagonists; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Drug Therapy, Combination; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Dyspnea; Pain; Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; Bronchodilator Agents
PubMed: 38383272
DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2024.01.013 -
Biomedicines Feb 2024Evidence from large epidemiological studies has shown that obesity may predispose to increased Th2 inflammation and increase the odds of developing asthma. On the other... (Review)
Review
Evidence from large epidemiological studies has shown that obesity may predispose to increased Th2 inflammation and increase the odds of developing asthma. On the other hand, there is growing evidence suggesting that metabolic dysregulation that occurs with obesity, and more specifically hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, may modify immune cell function and in some degree systemic inflammation. Insulin resistance seldom occurs on its own, and in most cases constitutes a clinical component of metabolic syndrome, along with central obesity and dyslipidemia. Despite that, in some cases, hyperinsulinemia associated with insulin resistance has proven to be a stronger risk factor than body mass in developing asthma. This finding has been supported by recent experimental studies showing that insulin resistance may contribute to airway remodeling, promotion of airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractility and proliferation, increase of airway hyper-responsiveness and release of pro-inflammatory mediators from adipose tissue. All these effects indicate the potential impact of hyperinsulinemia on airway structure and function, suggesting the presence of a specific asthma phenotype with insulin resistance. Epidemiologic studies have found that individuals with severe and uncontrolled asthma have a higher prevalence of glycemic dysfunction, whereas longitudinal studies have linked glycemic dysfunction to an increased risk of asthma exacerbations. Since the components of metabolic syndrome interact with one another so much, it is challenging to identify each one's specific role in asthma. This is why, over the last decade, additional studies have been conducted to determine whether treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus affects comorbid asthma as shown by the incidence of asthma, asthma control and asthma-related exacerbations. The purpose of this review is to present the mechanism of action, and existing preclinical and clinical data, regarding the effect of insulin resistance in asthma.
PubMed: 38398039
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020437 -
Thorax Apr 2024Significant inconsistencies in respiratory care provision for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are reported across different specialist neuromuscular centres in the UK.... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Significant inconsistencies in respiratory care provision for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are reported across different specialist neuromuscular centres in the UK. The absence of robust clinical evidence and expert consensus is a barrier to the implementation of care recommendations in public healthcare systems as is the need to increase awareness of key aspects of care for those living with DMD. Here, we provide evidenced-based and/or consensus-based best practice for the respiratory care of children and adults living with DMD in the UK, both as part of routine care and in an emergency.
METHODOLOGY
Initiated by an expert working group of UK-based respiratory physicians (including British Thoracic Society (BTS) representatives), neuromuscular clinicians, physiotherapist and patient representatives, draft guidelines were created based on published evidence, current practice and expert opinion. After wider consultation with UK respiratory teams and neuromuscular services, consensus was achieved on these best practice recommendations for respiratory care in DMD.
RESULT
The resulting recommendations are presented in the form of a flow chart for assessment and monitoring, with additional guidance and a separate chart setting out key considerations for emergency management. The recommendations have been endorsed by the BTS.
CONCLUSIONS
These guidelines provide practical, reasoned recommendations for all those managing day-to-day and acute respiratory care in children and adults with DMD. The hope is that this will support patients and healthcare professionals in accessing high standards of care across the UK.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Health Personnel; Pulmonologists; United Kingdom
PubMed: 38123347
DOI: 10.1136/thorax-2023-220811 -
Cureus Dec 2023This comprehensive review delves into the intricate relationship between asthma and pregnancy, specifically focusing on the challenges encountered in the first trimester... (Review)
Review
This comprehensive review delves into the intricate relationship between asthma and pregnancy, specifically focusing on the challenges encountered in the first trimester and the ensuing impact on maternal and fetal health. Examining physiological changes during pregnancy reveals the dynamic interplay influencing respiratory function and immune responses. Key findings underscore the vulnerability to asthma exacerbations in the critical first trimester, emphasizing the potential risks to both maternal and fetal well-being. Maternal and fetal outcomes are discussed, emphasizing the associations between poorly controlled asthma and adverse perinatal outcomes. Implications for clinical practice highlight the importance of preconception care, continuous monitoring, and collaborative efforts between obstetricians and pulmonologists. Patient education emerges as a fundamental aspect to empower pregnant women in managing their condition. The conclusion emphasizes the imperative for comprehensive care, advocating for individualized treatment plans, multidisciplinary collaboration, and public health initiatives. By adopting this holistic approach, healthcare providers can navigate the complexities of asthma during pregnancy, ultimately ensuring the optimal health of both the expectant mother and her developing fetus.
PubMed: 38169705
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49849 -
JCO Global Oncology Mar 2024To characterize treatment patterns and real-world clinical outcomes of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) who developed progression on an...
Real-World Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes After Platinum-Doublet Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multiregional Chart Review in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
PURPOSE
To characterize treatment patterns and real-world clinical outcomes of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) who developed progression on an anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1, herein referred to as anti-PD-(L)1, and platinum-doublet chemotherapy.
METHODS
Eligible oncologists/pulmonologists in the United States, Europe (France, Germany, and United Kingdom), and Japan completed electronic case report forms for patients with mNSCLC (no evidence of alterations). Eligible patients had disease progression on/after an anti-PD-(L)1 and platinum-doublet chemotherapy (received concurrently or sequentially), initiated a subsequent line of therapy (LOT) between 2017 and 2021, and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2 at this subsequent LOT initiation (index date). Overall survival (OS), time to treatment discontinuation (TTD), and real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) after index were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.
RESULTS
Overall, 160 physicians (academic, 54.4%; community, 45.6%) provided deidentified data from 487 patient charts (United States, 141; Europe, 218; Japan, 128; at mNSCLC diagnosis: median age 66 years, 64.7% male, 81.3% nonsquamous, 86.2% de novo mNSCLC; at line of interest initiation: 86.0% ECOG 0-1, 39.6% liver metastases, 18.9% brain metastases, 79.1% smoking history). The most common treatment regimens upon progression after anti-PD-(L)1/platinum-doublet chemotherapy were nonplatinum chemotherapy (50.5%), nonplatinum chemotherapy plus vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor (12.9%), and platinum-doublet chemotherapy (6.6%). Median OS was 8.8 months (squamous, 7.8 months; nonsquamous, 9.5 months). Median TTD was 4.3 months (squamous, 4.1 months; nonsquamous, 4.3 months). Median rwPFS was 5.1 months (squamous, 4.6 months; nonsquamous, 5.4 months).
CONCLUSION
In this multiregional, real-world analysis of pooled patient chart data, patients with mNSCLC who had disease progression after anti-PD-(L)1/platinum-doublet chemotherapy had poor clinical outcomes with various treatment regimens, demonstrating an unmet clinical need for effective options after failure on anti-PD-(L)1 and platinum-doublet chemotherapy treatments.
Topics: Humans; Male; United States; Aged; Female; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Platinum; Japan; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Immunotherapy; Disease Progression; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
PubMed: 38484195
DOI: 10.1200/GO.23.00483 -
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Dec 2023During the early stages of the pandemic, computed tomography (CT) of the chest, along with serological and clinical data, was frequently utilized in diagnosing COVID-19,...
During the early stages of the pandemic, computed tomography (CT) of the chest, along with serological and clinical data, was frequently utilized in diagnosing COVID-19, particularly in regions facing challenges such as shortages of PCR kits. In these circumstances, CT scans played a crucial role in diagnosing COVID-19 and guiding patient management. The COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) was established as a standardized reporting system for cases of COVID-19 pneumonia. Its implementation necessitates a high level of agreement among observers to prevent any potential confusion. This study aimed to assess the inter-observer agreement between physicians from different specialties with variable levels of experience in their CO-RADS scoring of CT chests for confirmed COVID-19 patients, and to assess the feasibility of applying this reporting system to those having little experience with it. All chest CT images of patients with positive RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed by seven observers. The observers were divided into three groups according to their type of specialty (three radiologists, three house officers, and one pulmonologist). The observers assessed each image and categorized the patients into five CO-RADS groups. A total of 630 participants were included in this study. The inter-observer agreement was almost perfect among the radiologists, substantial among a pulmonologist and the house officers, and moderate-to-substantial among the radiologists, the pulmonologist, and the house officers. There was substantial to almost perfect inter-observer agreement when reporting using the CO-RADS among observers with different experience levels. Although the inter-observer variability among the radiologists was high, it decreased compared to the pulmonologist and house officers. Radiologists, house officers, and pulmonologists applying the CO-RADS can accurately and promptly identify typical CT imaging features of lung involvement in COVID-19.
PubMed: 38133455
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8120523 -
Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Aug 2023Accessory cardiac bronchus (ACB) has been described mainly as case reports finding (frequency 0.08%-0.39%). Even though 50% of all ACBs have a blind extremity, imaging...
Accessory cardiac bronchus (ACB) has been described mainly as case reports finding (frequency 0.08%-0.39%). Even though 50% of all ACBs have a blind extremity, imaging studies have demonstrated that some develop into a series of bronchioles with cystic degeneration or a ventilated lobule demarcated by an anomalous fissure and extremely rare with an abnormal pulmonary artery. In this case, ACB was demonstrated on several imaging methods arising from the intermediate bronchus's medial wall with correspondent blood vessels and fissure. Although an ACB is not a pathological entity and most patients with ACB are asymptomatic, it can become symptomatic due to recurrent infection, empyema, hemoptysis, and malignant transformation. In conclusion, both pulmonologists and radiologists should recognize normal bronchial anatomy and developmental bronchial anomalies, as these may be important to establish a correct diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Bronchi; Radiologists
PubMed: 37606079
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v94iS1.14787 -
Patient Preference and Adherence 2023Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a rare disease that causes shortness of breath, dry cough, and tiredness. While there is no cure for IPF, current therapeutic...
INTRODUCTION
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a rare disease that causes shortness of breath, dry cough, and tiredness. While there is no cure for IPF, current therapeutic treatments aim to slow lung degeneration while managing side effects. There is little known about patient experience and attitude with regards to their disease and medication.
PURPOSE
To understand the perceptions, behaviors and drivers of treatment decision-making among patients, caregivers and pulmonologists in IPF.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Online surveys to patients with IPF, caregivers and pulmonologists were developed and administered in Belgium, Finland, France, Greece (pulmonologists only), the Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom between November 2021 and January 2022.
RESULTS
A total of 111 patients, 22 caregivers and 140 pulmonologists participated. Half (47%) of patients rated their disease as "severe", while pulmonologists reported that a quarter of their patients had a low Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (below 50% of the predicted value). Between 21% and 42% of the patients do not take an IPF medication (patients' perception) or antifibrotic (physicians' perception). Pulmonologists reported that a total of 58% of their patients were receiving antifibrotic medication, any IPF medication, while around 53%, 55%, 35% and 73% of the patients limited their exposure (sometimes or often) to the sun due to IPF, considered taking medication against diarrhea, nausea/vomiting and heartburn, respectively. Treatment adherence was relatively high (81%), in line with the caregivers' view and the pulmonologists' expectations. Overall, cultural, clinical or socio-demographic factors impacted patients' perceptions or behaviors.
CONCLUSION
This study shows there is a significant proportion of IPF patients who remain untreated, a misalignment of disease severity between patients and their physicians and patient background impacts behavior. Overall, more in-depth patient-physician communication is needed to improve treatment experience.
PubMed: 37560148
DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S408857 -
Cureus Aug 2023Hiatal hernias and Bochdalek hernias are two types of diaphragmatic hernias that present with similar symptoms. However, they differ in their etiology and anatomical...
Hiatal hernias and Bochdalek hernias are two types of diaphragmatic hernias that present with similar symptoms. However, they differ in their etiology and anatomical location. In this case study, we present the clinical features and management of a patient who presented with symptoms suggestive of a hiatal hernia but was later diagnosed with a Bochdalek hernia. Our case has a 64-year-old female patient who presented with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. During her pulmonologist-ordered imaging, which included a CT scan, the report showed a large 8 cm hiatal hernia. Due to her condition, she was scheduled for a hiatal hernia repair, along with a transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) procedure. During the operation, a large defect was seen in the left hemidiaphragm with herniation of bowel loops into the chest cavity. It was confirmed to be a Bochdalek hernia. The surgeon proceeded to continue the laparoscopic repair, pulling the bowel back into the abdomen, and using the falciform ligament of the liver to buttress the diaphragm. The surgery was a success, and the patient had no postoperative complications. This case serves as a reminder that a high degree of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of Bochdalek hernias, especially in patients with atypical presentations or imaging findings suggestive of an alternative diagnosis, such as a hiatal hernia. The patient had chronic symptoms of various gastrointestinal and respiratory comorbidities, which should serve as a caution for clinicians to carefully consider the possibility of a Bochdalek hernia when evaluating patients with similar symptoms. This case study also illustrates the success of a minimally invasive surgical approach for repairing a Bochdalek hernia, with the use of laparoscopic techniques and using falciform ligament to support the diaphragm.
PubMed: 37736470
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43859 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Sep 2023: Treatment of advanced lung cancer (LC) has become increasingly personalized over the past decade due to an improved understanding of tumor molecular biology and... (Review)
Review
: Treatment of advanced lung cancer (LC) has become increasingly personalized over the past decade due to an improved understanding of tumor molecular biology and antitumor immunity. The main task of a pulmonologist oncologist is to establish a tumor diagnosis and, ideally, to confirm the stage of the disease with the least invasive technique possible. : The paper will summarize published reviews and original papers, as well as published clinical studies and case reports, which studied the role and compared the methods of invasive pulmonology diagnostics to obtain adequate tumor tissue samples for molecular analysis, thereby determining the most effective molecular treatments. : Bronchoscopy is often recommended as the initial diagnostic procedure for LC. If the tumor is endoscopically visible, the biopsy sample is susceptible to molecular testing, the same as tumor tissue samples obtained from surgical resection and mediastinoscopy. The use of new sampling methods, such as cryobiopsy for peripheral tumor lesions or cytoblock obtained by ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), enables obtaining adequate small biopsies and cytological samples for molecular testing, which have until recently been considered unsuitable for this type of analysis. During LC patients' treatment, resistance occurs due to changes in the mutational tumor status or pathohistological tumor type. Therefore, the repeated taking of liquid biopsies for molecular analysis or rebiopsy of tumor tissue for new pathohistological and molecular profiling has recently been mandated. : In thoracic oncology, preference should be given to the least invasive diagnostic procedure providing a sample for histology rather than for cytology. However, there is increasing evidence that, when properly processed, cytology samples can be sufficient for both the cancer diagnosis and molecular analyses. A good knowledge of diagnostic procedures is essential for LC diagnosing and treatment in the personalized therapy era.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Bronchoscopy; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
PubMed: 37893442
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101723