European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2018

Viral respiratory infection POCT could reduce unnecessary hospitalization, antibiotics

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20181009140300

The implementation of point-of-care testing (POCT) for viral respiratory infections in emergency departments could reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and antibiotic treatment, according to a study from the UK.

Dupilumab improves disease control, QoL outcomes in asthma patients with rhinosinusitis

Audrey Abella, 20181003100000

The use of the anti-interleukin-4 receptor α monoclonal antibody dupilumab led to improved patient-reported and sino-nasal outcomes in asthma patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis (CRS/NP), a common comorbidity of asthma, according to two prespecified analyses results of the LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST* trial presented at ERS 2018.

Asthma linked to elevated obesity risk

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20181002140309

Individuals with asthma may have a tendency to develop obesity, with a higher risk observed among those with adult-onset asthma, according to findings of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) presented at the recent international congress of the European Respiratory Society (ERS 2018).

Triple therapy in a single inhaler effective for COPD irrespective of exacerbation history

Elvira Manzano, 20181002120000

Triple therapy with budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol in one metered dose inhaler (BGF MDI) appears effective and is well-tolerated in patients with symptomatic moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) irrespective of exacerbation history, the multicentre, phase III KRONOS* trial has shown.

Airway microbiota associated with lung cancer development

Dr. Joseph Delano Fule Robles, 20181002080934

The airway microbiota is recently demonstrated to be associated with lung cancer via up-regulation of the ERK, PI3K and IL-17A signalling pathways, according to data presented at the recent European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2018.

AIRFLOW-2: Targeted lung denervation cuts respiratory symptoms, even in heavily-treated COPD

Pearl Toh, 20181002060010

Adding targeted lung denervation to drug therapy more than halves the rate of adverse respiratory events compared with drug therapy alone in patients with persistent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the AIRFLOW*-2 trial presented at ERS 2018.

Multidisciplinary discussions, CTD screening and bronchoalveolar lavage pivotal points of new IPF guidelines

Dr. Joseph Delano Fule Robles, 20180928041444

Multidisciplinary discussions, connective tissue disease (CTD) screening and the performance of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are among the pivotal points recommended by new guidelines for the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) reported at the recent European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2018.

Short-term azithromycin may reduce ureaplasma infection-related morbidity in preterm infants

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20180927140209

Preterm infants who tested positive for ureaplasma respiratory tract infection had poorer survival over the first year of life, according to a study presented at ERS 2018. However, a 3-day course of prophylactic azithromycin could potentially reduce this morbidity and mortality burden.

Benralizumab demonstrates durable efficacy in patients with severe asthma

Dr. Joseph Delano Fule Robles, 20180927063746

The interleukin-5 receptor alpha (IL-5Rα) antagonist benralizumab has demonstrated durable efficacy and safety among patients with severe, uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma in a study reported at the recent European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2018.

Mepolizumab effective in life-threatening or seriously debilitating severe eosinophilic asthma

Christina Lau, 20180927024820

Long-term treatment with the anti–interleukin-5 (anti–IL-5) monoclonal antibody mepolizumab provides sustained reductions in exacerbation rate and daily oral corticosteroid (OCS) use in patients with life-threatening or seriously debilitating severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA), according to results of the COSMEX study reported at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2018.