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Subgroup findings boost dupilumab benefit for CRSwNP, comorbid asthma

Audrey Abella, 20211118100000

In post hoc analyses of the phase III SINUS-24 and SINUS-52 trials, the monoclonal antibody dupilumab continued to render improvements for patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), as well as among those with comorbid asthma regardless of asthma characteristics.

Asthma, high BMI, older age up risk of small airway dysfunction

20211114180000

Small airway disfunction can lead to increased airway resistance and visible computed tomography (CT) changes, according to a study. Furthermore, this disease is more common among individuals with advanced age, high body mass index (BMI), childhood cough, and asthma.

Prophylactic azithromycin may help prevent asthma attacks

Prophylactic azithromycin helps prevent asthma attacks

Pearl Toh, 20211113140100

Prophylactic use of azithromycin was associated with significantly fewer infections and hospitalizations in patients with asthma, according to real-world data presented during the CHEST 2021 Congress.

Masking for COVID-19 tied to fewer ED visits for other respiratory illnesses

Stephen Padilla, 20211104120000

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to wear mask to prevent the spread of the disease, but the increasing prevalence of masking has also resulted in a reduction in emergency department (ED) visits for other viral illnesses and exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a US study.

Tezepelumab improves lung function in severe asthma

20211019060000

In the treatment of patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma, use of tezepelumab appears to produce rapid and sustained improvements in lung function, as reported in a study.

Allergic status does not blunt benefits of LAMA/LABA in Asians with asthma

One in 10 Singaporeans affected by asthma

Tristan Manalac, 20211015090000

A recent multi-ethnic Singapore study confirms that asthma is a common disease, affecting more than 10 percent of adults, especially former smokers and those with high body mass index (BMI). Asthma is also associated with worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL), making it a substantial public health concern.

SGLT2 inhibitors help ward off asthma

20211012060000

Patients on sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT) 2 inhibitors are less likely to develop asthma compared with those on dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), a study has found.

As-needed budesonide–formoterol as good as ICS maintenance in mild asthma

Inhaled JAK inhibitor cuts exhaled nitric oxide in mild asthma

20210929060000

GDC-0214, an inhaled Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, induces dose-dependent reductions in fractional exhaled nitric oxide in patients with mild asthma, a recent study has found.

Educational intervention improves lung function, quality of life, inflammatory profile in asthmatics

20210926060000

An educational intervention for proper inhaled corticosteroid use helps improve lung function, quality of life, and control of inflammation among asthma patients, a recent study has found.

Mepolizumab benefits held up over time

Elvira Manzano, 20210925000000

Beyond 1 year, the humanized monoclonal antibody mepolizumab maintained real-world efficacy and safety in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma in the REALITI-A cohort study, reports an expert at ERS 2021.

New asthma guide: What doctors should know

Pearl Toh, 26 Nov 2020

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) should be the mainstay of long-term asthma management — such is the key message of the latest Singapore ACE* Clinical Guidance (ACG) for asthma, released in October 2020.

Timely treatment of patients at risk for severe COVID-19 prevents severe outcomes

Dr. Asok Kurup, Dr. Alex Soriano, 31 Oct 2022

Despite widespread uptake of vaccinations, COVID-19 remains a serious health issue for high-risk patients, owing to the emergence of new variants of concern (VOCs), waning immunity, and breakthrough infections.

At a recent symposium in Singapore, esteemed experts Dr Asok Kurup, Consultant Infectious Diseases Physician at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore, and Dr Alex Soriano, Head of Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona and Assistant Professor, University of Barcelona, Spain, gave insights on the evolution of global trends since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed key challenges in managing high-risk patients with COVID-19 in the ICU. They also highlighted early treatment strategies to minimize the burden of COVID-19 on healthcare systems.

ID NOW rapid molecular assay an effective COVID-19 test for kids

Rapid COVID-19 testing: Is it as good in kids?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20 Oct 2021

A large retrospective study from the US, presented at IDWeek 2021, has shown that the Abbott ID NOW rapid molecular COVID-19 assay is highly sensitive and specific at detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection in a paediatric population.