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Frontiers in Medicine 2023There is a growing body of evidence suggesting a causal relationship between interstitial lung disease (ILD) and air pollution, both for the development of the disease,...
INTRODUCTION
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting a causal relationship between interstitial lung disease (ILD) and air pollution, both for the development of the disease, and driving disease progression. We aim to provide a comprehensive literature review of the association between air pollution, and ILD, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
METHODS
We systematically searched from six online database. Two independent authors (DL and CF) selected studies and critically appraised the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Findings are presented through a narrative synthesis and meta-analysis. Meta-analyses were performed exclusively when there was a minimum of three studies examining identical pollutant-health outcome pairs, all evaluating equivalent increments in pollutant concentration, using a random effects model.
RESULTS
24 observational studies conducted in 13 countries or regions were identified. Pollutants under investigation encompassed ozone (O), nitrogen dioxide (NO), Particulate matter with diameters of 10 micrometers or less (PM) and 2.5 micrometers or less (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). We conducted meta-analyses to assess the estimated Risk Ratios (RRs) for acute exacerbations (AE)-IPF in relation to exposure to every 10 μg/m increment in air pollutant concentrations, including O, NO, PM, and PM The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between the increased risk of AE-IPF in PM, yielding RR 1.94 (95% CI 1.30-2.90; = 0.001). Findings across all the included studies suggest that increased exposure to air pollutants may be linked to a range of health issues in individuals with ILDs.
CONCLUSION
A scarcity of available studies on the air pollutants and ILD relationship underscores the imperative for further comprehensive research in this domain. The available data suggest that reducing levels of PM in the atmosphere could potentially reduce AE frequency and severity in ILD patients.
PubMed: 38298511
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1321038 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jan 2024Thoracoscopic surgical biopsy has shown excellent histological characterization of undetermined interstitial lung diseases, although the morbidity rates reported are not... (Review)
Review
Thoracoscopic surgical biopsy has shown excellent histological characterization of undetermined interstitial lung diseases, although the morbidity rates reported are not negligible. In delicate patients, interstitial lung disease and restrictive ventilatory impairment morbidity are thought to be due at least in part to tracheal intubation with single-lung mechanical ventilation; therefore, spontaneous ventilation thoracoscopic lung biopsy (SVTLB) has been proposed as a potentially less invasive surgical option. This systematic review summarizes the results of SVTLB, focusing on diagnostic yield and operative morbidity. A systematic search for original studies regarding SVTLB published between 2010 to 2023 was performed. In addition, articles comparing SVTLB to mechanical ventilation thoracoscopic lung biopsy (MVTLB) were selected for a meta-analysis. Overall, 13 studies (two before 2017 and eleven between 2018 and 2023) entailing 675 patients were included. Diagnostic yield ranged from 84.6% to 100%. There were 64 (9.5%) complications, most of which were minor. There was no 30-day operative mortality. When comparing SVTLB to MVTLB, the former group showed a significantly lower risk of complications ( < 0.001), whereas no differences were found in diagnostic accuracy. The results of this review suggest that SVTLB is being increasingly adopted worldwide and has proven to be a safe procedure with excellent diagnostic accuracy.
PubMed: 38256508
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020374 -
Journal of Health, Population, and... Jan 2024Vitamin D is a prominent modulator of immunity and respiratory function. It plays a vital role in respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF). S. However, there is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
Vitamin D is a prominent modulator of immunity and respiratory function. It plays a vital role in respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF). S. However, there is a dearth of information on patients with CF. The purpose of the meta-analysis is to highlight the importance of following the existing guidelines regarding maintenance of Vitamin D serum levels in patients with CF.
METHODS
The systematic search was conducted without utilizing any time or language limitations in original database from the beginning until March 2022. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was determined by I statistics and Cochrane Q test.
RESULTS
Pooled analysis using the random-effects model of the 8 case-control studies with 13 effect sizes revealed that the serum 25-OH-vitamin D in participants with cystic fibrosis was significantly lower than controls in pediatrics and adolescences (WMD: - 3.41 ng/ml, 95% CI - 5.02, - 1.80, p = < 0.001) and adults (WMD: - 2.60 ng/ml, 95% CI - 4.32, - 0.89, p = 0.003). Based on data from 12 studies (21 effect sizes) with a total of 1622 participants, the prevalence of vitamin D levels of 20-30 ng/ml in CF patients was 36% among pediatrics/adolescents and 63% among adults. In addition, 27% of pediatric/adolescent CF patients and 35% of adult CF patients had vitamin D levels of below 20 ng/ml.
CONCLUSIONS
As a result, according to the existing guidelines, our results proved the need to pay attention to the level of vitamin D in these patients.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin D; Case-Control Studies
PubMed: 38233891
DOI: 10.1186/s41043-024-00499-2 -
Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia :... 2024To evaluate the effect of treatment with the combination of three cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators-elexacaftor+tezacaftor+ivacaftor... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of treatment with the combination of three cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators-elexacaftor+tezacaftor+ivacaftor (ETI)-on important clinical endpoints in individuals with cystic fibrosis.
METHODS
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials that compared the use of ETI in individuals with CF and at least one F508del allele with that of placebo or with an active comparator such as other combinations of CFTR modulators, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations and the Patients of interest, Intervention to be studied, Comparison of interventions, and Outcome of interest (PICO) methodology. We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov from their inception to December 26th, 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and the quality of evidence was based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).
RESULTS
We retrieved 54 studies in the primary search. Of these, 6 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed (1,127 patients; 577 and 550 in the intervention and control groups, respectively). The meta-analysis revealed that the use of ETI increased FEV1% [risk difference (RD), +10.47%; 95% CI, 6.88-14.06], reduced the number of acute pulmonary exacerbations (RD, -0.16; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.04), and improved quality of life (RD, +14.93; 95% CI, 9.98-19.89) and BMI (RD, +1.07 kg/m2; 95% CI, 0.90-1.25). Adverse events did not differ between groups (RD, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.01), and none of the studies reported deaths.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate that ETI treatment substantially improves clinically significant, patient-centered outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Alleles; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Cystic Fibrosis; Quality of Life; Pyridines; Indoles; Pyrazoles; Aminophenols; Quinolones; Pyrrolidines; Benzodioxoles
PubMed: 38198345
DOI: 10.36416/1806-3756/e20230187 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor (ELE/TEZ/IVA) is believed to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF), but the exact efficacy and safety...
Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor (ELE/TEZ/IVA) is believed to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF), but the exact efficacy and safety profile are still unknown. This study aimed to clarify the extent of functional restoration when patients are given with triple combination treatment and demonstrate the prevalence of adverse events, to evaluate the overall profile of ELE/TEZ/IVA on CF. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Random effects single-arm meta-analysis was performed to decipher the basal characteristics of CF, the improvement and safety profile after ELE/TEZ/IVA treatment. A total 53 studies were included in this analysis. For all the patients in included studies. 4 weeks after ELE/TEZ/IVA treatment, the increasement of percentage of predicted Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (ppFEV) was 9.23% (95%CI, 7.77%-10.70%), the change of percentage of predicted Forced Vital Capacity (ppFVC) was 7.67% (95%CI, 2.15%-13.20%), and the absolute change of Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R) score was 21.46 points (95%CI, 18.26-24.67 points). The Sweat chloride (SwCl) was significantly decreased with the absolute change of -41.82 mmol/L (95%CI, -44.38 to -39.25 mmol/L). 24 weeks after treatment, the increasement of ppFEV was 12.57% (95%CI, 11.24%-13.90%), the increasement of ppFVC was 10.44% (95%CI, 7.26%-13.63%), and the absolute change of CFQ-R score was 19.29 points (95%CI, 17.19-21.39 points). The SwCl was significantly decreased with the absolute change of -51.53 mmol/L (95%CI, -56.12 to -46.94 mmol/L). The lung clearance index (LCI) was also decreased by 1.74 units (95%CI, -2.42 to -1.07 units). The body mass index increased by 1.23 kg/m (95%CI, 0.89-1.57 kg/m). As for adverse events, 0.824 (95%CI, 0.769-0.879) occurred during ELE/TEZ/IVA period, while the incidence of severe adverse events was 0.066 (95%CI, 0.028-0.104). ELE/TEZ/IVA is a highly effective strategy and relatively safe for CF patients and needs to be sustained to achieve better efficacy. Identifier: CRD42023441840.
PubMed: 38186649
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1275470 -
BMJ Open Respiratory Research Dec 2023We aimed to assess the available evidence for corticosteroids in fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD) to inform the randomised embedded multifactorial adaptive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to assess the available evidence for corticosteroids in fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD) to inform the randomised embedded multifactorial adaptive platform ILD.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
We searched Embase, Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL and Web of Science databases from inception to April 17 2023.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We included studies that compared corticosteroids with standard care, placebo or no treatment in adult patients with fILD.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
We report on the change in forced vital capacity (FVC) and mortality. We used random-effects meta-analysis to estimate relative risk (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, and mean difference (MD) and standardised MDs for continuous outcomes, with 95% CIs.
RESULTS
Of the 13 229 unique citations identified, we included 10 observational studies comprising 1639 patients. Corticosteroids had an uncertain effect on mortality compared with no treatment (RR 1.03 (95% CI 0.85 to 1.25); very low certainty evidence). The effect of corticosteroids on the rate of decline in FVC (% predicted) was uncertain when compared with no treatment (MD 4.29% (95% CI -8.26% to 16.83%); very low certainty evidence). However, corticosteroids might reduce the rate of decline in FVC in patients with non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) fILD (MD 10.89% (95% CI 5.25% to 16.53%); low certainty evidence), while an uncertain effect was observed in patients with IPF (MD -3.80% (95% CI -8.94% to 1.34%); very low certainty evidence).
CONCLUSIONS
The current evidence on the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids in fILD is limited and of low certainty. Randomised trials are needed to address this significant research gap.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 38160015
DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-002008 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Nov 2023The role of combination treatments with two antifibrotic agents, pirfenidone and nintedanib, has been not established in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study...
BACKGROUND
The role of combination treatments with two antifibrotic agents, pirfenidone and nintedanib, has been not established in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study was performed to investigate the safety and tolerability of combination antifibrotic treatment in patients with IPF.
METHODS
We conducted a proportional meta-analysis and searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register for relevant clinical trials. The primary outcome was the proportion of discontinuation of combination treatment over the treatment period. We also examined the pooled proportions of serious and any adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
RESULTS
Four clinical trials involving 191 patients were analyzed. In pooled estimates, 29% of patients discontinued treatment during the study period [95% confidence interval (CI): 17-41%, I=65.42%]. The pooled proportions of serious and any ADRs were 10% (95% CI: 1-19%; I=79.13%) and 82% (95% CI: 75-90%; I=39.20%), respectively. During the follow-up period, gastrointestinal symptoms were the most frequent ADR. Acute exacerbation (AE) of IPF was reported in 7.0% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings showed relatively frequent incidence of discontinuation and ADRs for combination therapy in IPF. Further large-scale, randomized, controlled trials are needed to support our results because of the methodological limitations of the included trials and a scarcity of trials for analysis.
PubMed: 38090320
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-946 -
Cells Nov 2023There is an increasing recognition of the crucial role of the right ventricle (RV) in determining the functional status and prognosis in multiple conditions. In the past... (Review)
Review
There is an increasing recognition of the crucial role of the right ventricle (RV) in determining the functional status and prognosis in multiple conditions. In the past decade, the epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs) of gene expression has been raised as a critical determinant of RV development, RV physiological function, and RV pathological dysfunction. We thus aimed to perform an up-to-date review of the literature, gathering knowledge on the epigenetic modifications associated with RV function/dysfunction. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of studies assessing the contribution of epigenetic modifications to RV development and/or the progression of RV dysfunction regardless of the causal pathology. English literature published on PubMed, between the inception of the study and 1 January 2023, was evaluated. Two authors independently evaluated whether studies met eligibility criteria before study results were extracted. Amongst the 817 studies screened, 109 studies were included in this review, including 69 that used human samples (e.g., RV myocardium, blood). While 37 proposed an epigenetic-based therapeutic intervention to improve RV function, none involved a clinical trial and 70 are descriptive. Surprisingly, we observed a substantial discrepancy between studies investigating the expression (up or down) and/or the contribution of the same epigenetic modifications on RV function or development. This exhaustive review of the literature summarizes the relevant epigenetic studies focusing on RV in human or preclinical setting.
Topics: Humans; Heart Ventricles; Epigenesis, Genetic; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right; Myocardium; Ventricular Function, Right
PubMed: 38067121
DOI: 10.3390/cells12232693 -
Clinical Medicine Insights. Oncology 2023Pulmonary toxicities caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors are a prominent concern for clinicians. Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are critical for managing these... (Review)
Review
A Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Managing Pulmonary Toxicities Caused by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Quality of Treatment Recommendations and Differences in Management Strategies Between Guidelines.
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary toxicities caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors are a prominent concern for clinicians. Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are critical for managing these toxicities.
METHODS
A systematic search of CPGs on checkpoint-associated pulmonary toxicities (ca-PT) was conducted in October 2022. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched. AGREE II and AGREE-REX were used to appraise CPGs and recommendations quality, respectively. Descriptive statistics, intraclass correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis (H) test, and Spearman's correlation were used for analyses. P-values < .05 were considered statistically significant. Matrices were used to determine recommendation differences between CPGs. The study's design was based on the PRISMA 2020 checklist for systematic reviews. Protocol registration number: CRD42022358435.
RESULTS
Eight CPGs (two high-quality, three moderate-quality, and three low-quality) were identified. All CPGs covered pneumonitis. One CPG covered pleural effusions and pneumonitis/SARs-CoV-2-infection. Three CPGs covered sarcoidosis-like-reactions. CPGs for pulmonary fibrosis, airway disease, bronchiolitis, and diffuse alveolar damage, were unavailable. No CPG recommendation was based on a prospective study, and none were appraised as high-quality. Also, recommendations were not specific to histopathologic subtypes. AGREE II's "rigor of development," the domain that evaluates a guideline's methodological approach and strategies in gathering scientific evidence, correlated strongly with AGREE-REX's "overall quality" pneumonitis recommendations, r = .952; P < .01. Approximately 73% of recommendations on pneumonitis were similar between high-quality CPGs. About 16% to 74% of low-quality CPGs were similar to those recommended by high-quality CPGs.
CONCLUSION
Prospectively designed research projects focusing on all types of ca-PT and their histopathologic subtypes are urgently needed. Due to the lack of high-quality recommendations in available CPGs, the disparities in treatment recommendations between high-quality CPGs, and the similarities in recommendations that exists between high-quality and low-quality CPGs, clinicians should thoroughly assess and responsibly appraise all available CPG recommendations in formulating treatment strategies for ca-PT.
PubMed: 38033741
DOI: 10.1177/11795549231203153 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Nov 2023Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential of pirfenidone to enhance the prognosis of patients afflicted with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Although... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential of pirfenidone to enhance the prognosis of patients afflicted with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Although N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is utilized as an antioxidant in IPF treatment, the combination of NAC and pirfenidone has produced inconsistent outcomes in certain studies. To assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of NAC plus pirfenidone (designated as the treatment group) versus pirfenidone monotherapy (designated as the control group), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS
RCTs of NAC plus pirfenidone were reviewed searching from databases and networks of unpublished and published studies in any language. Using pair-wise meta-analysis, changes in pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters and safety were evaluated.
RESULTS
Two independent reviewers selected and obtained data from 5 RCTs (n = 398), comprising 1 study from Japan, 1 from Europe, and 3 from China. NAS plus pirfenidone as compared to pirfenidone monotherapy for IPF may not reduce the incidence of skin effects(RR 1.26 [95%CI 0.64 to 2.45]) and mortality(RR 0.35 [95%CI 0.07 to 1.68])(both moderate certainty). NAS plus pirfenidone as compared to pirfenidone monotherapy for IPF may not reduce the incidence of at least one side effects(RR 1.00 [95%CI 0.84 to 1.19]; low certainty),severe side effects(RR 0.67 [95%CI 0.30 to 1.47]; low certainty) and gastrointestinal effects(RR 0.67 [95%CI 0.41 to 1.09]; low certainty) with possibly no effect in Δ%DLco(SMD -0.17 [95%CI -0.15 to 0.48]; low certainty). Meanwhile, the effect of NAS plus pirfenidone as compared to pirfenidone monotherapy on ΔFVC(SMD 0.18 [95%CI -0.68 to 1.05]), Δ%FVC(SMD -2.62 [95%CI -5.82 to 0.59]) and Δ6MWT(SMD -0.35 [95%CI -0.98 to 0.28]) is uncertain(extremely low certainty).
CONCLUSION
Moderate certainty evidence suggests that NAS plus pirfenidone, compared to pirfenidone monotherapy for IPF, does not reduce the incidence of skin effects and mortality.
Topics: Humans; Acetylcysteine; Pyridones; Treatment Outcome; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
PubMed: 38031002
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02778-w