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American Thoracic Society International Conference 2018 (ATS 2018)

18 May 2018 - 23 May 2018

Unnecessary antibiotics for asthma linked to longer hospital stay, elevated cost

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20180607140600

Prescribing antibiotics despite no indication of infection to patients hospitalized with asthma was associated with longer hospital stay, a higher risk of antibiotic-related diarrhoea, and elevated hospitalization costs, according to a study presented at the recent American Thoracic Society conference (ATS 2018).

Endometriosis tied to high prevalence of asthma

Elaine Soliven, 20180606022740

Women with endometriosis may have a higher risk of asthma compared with women without endometriosis, according to a study presented at ATS 2018.

Obesity paradox debunked in COPD patients with BMI >40

Elvira Manzano, 20180605110000

The notion that overweight patients with COPD* seems to have a reduced risk of mortality vs those who are of normal weight, or that fat alters outcomes in obese patients – a phenomenon called “obesity paradox” – does not hold true if BMI is >40 kg/m2, a study has shown.

Dupilumab cuts steroid use, improves lung function in severe asthma

Eczema drug emerges as potential asthma treatment

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20180604150700

Dupilumab, the fully human anti-interleukin-4 receptor α monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, appeared to improve lung function, reduce exacerbations, and decrease oral corticosteroid use in individuals with moderate-to-severe asthma, according to two phase III trials presented at ATS 2018.

Vitamin C improves lung function in babies exposed to in-utero smoke

Audrey Abella, 20180604110000

Vitamin C supplementation in pregnant women who smoke resulted in improved forced expiratory flow (FEF*) in their newborns at 3 and 12 months, according to data presented at ATS 2018.

Dropping ICS does not increase exacerbation risk in moderate-to-severe COPD

LABA/LAMA combo sufficient for moderate-to-severe COPD?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20180602140600

De-escalating treatment from triple therapy (LABA*/LAMA**/inhaled corticosteroid [ICS]) to dual bronchodilator therapy (indacaterol/glycopyrronium) did not increase exacerbation rate, though there was a minor decrease in lung function in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with infrequent exacerbations, according to results of the SUNSET*** trial presented at the recent American Thoracic Society conference (ATS 2018).

Asthma severity declines during adolescence

Elaine Soliven, 20180602000000

Severity of childhood asthma decreases towards adolescence, with equal trends for both males and females, according to a study presented at ATS 2018.

Antibiotic use during pregnancy may up risk of childhood asthma

Pearl Toh, 20180601180010

Frequent use of antibiotics during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma, with the risk varies by timing and number of antibiotic courses used during pregnancy, according to a study presented at ATS 2018.

Mepolizumab reduces exacerbations in overlapping eosinophilic, atopic severe asthma

Pearl Toh, 20180531180010

The humanized monoclonal antibody mepolizumab reduces the rates of clinically significant exacerbations in patients with an overlapping eosinophilic and atopic severe asthma phenotype, regardless of serum IgE levels or whether they qualify for omalizumab, according to a meta-analysis of randomized trials presented in ATS 2018.

Budesonide/formoterol combo inhaler superior to terbutaline alone in mild asthma

Audrey Abella, 20180531110000

The combination of the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) budesonide and the LABA* formoterol administered on an as-needed (PRN) basis was superior to monotherapy with the SABA** terbutaline for symptom control and exacerbation risk reduction in patients with mild asthma, according to SYGMA 1*** results presented at ATS 2018.

Photo Highlights from ATS 2018

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Two-bag on par with one-bag system in adults with diabetic ketoacidosis

6 days ago

The efficacy and safety of the two-bag (TB) system are comparable to those of the one-bag (OB) system in adults with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), results of a study have shown. Both approaches can be considered in adult DKA patients.

Spotlight on multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections: New developments for an old problem

Dr. Hsu Li Yang, Dr. Tan Thuan Tong, Dr. Andrea Kwa, 08 Jan 2021

Antimicrobial resistance has become increasingly dire as the rapid emergence of drug resistance, especially gram-negative pathogens, has outpaced the development of new antibiotics. At a recent virtual symposium, Dr Hsu Li Yang, Vice Dean (Global Health) and Programme Leader (Infectious Diseases), NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, presented epidemiological data on multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in Asia, while Dr Tan Thuan Tong, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), focused on the role of ceftazidime-avibactam in MDR GNB infections. Dr Andrea Kwa, Assistant Director of Research, Department of Pharmacy, SGH, joined the panel in an interactive fireside chat, to discuss challenges, practical considerations, and solutions in MDR gram-negative infections. This Pfizer-sponsored symposium was chaired by Dr Ng Shin Yi, Head and Senior Consultant of Surgical Intensive Care, SGH.