American Thoracic Society 2019 (ATS 2019) International Conference

Long-term use of benralizumab efficacious, safe for severe, uncontrolled asthma

Elvira Manzano, 20190624002835

Long-term treatment with the interleukin-5 receptor alpha-directed cytolytic monoclonal antibody benralizumab led to long-term control of asthma, improvement in pulmonary function, and was safe in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma in the 2-year integrated analysis of the SIROCCO, CALIMA, and ZONDA pivotal studies plus the BORA extension study reported at ATS 2019.

Smoking cessation app improves abstinence rate among adult smokers

Stephen Padilla, 20190617120000

Use of the novel application (app) CureApp Smoking Cessation (CASC) results in a significantly higher continuous abstinence rate (CAR) from weeks 9 to 24 compared to the control app, making it a promising tool for smoking cessation treatment, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2019 International Conference.

As-needed budesonide-formoterol a potential game changer for mild asthma

Elaine Soliven, 20190613120000

The use of budesonide-formoterol, combined in a single preventer-reliever inhaler, on an as-needed basis more than halves the rate of asthma exacerbations in patients with mild asthma compared with the reliever albuterol used as needed, according to the Novel START* study presented at ATS 2019.

Switching to benralizumab improves OCS dosing, QoL in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma

Elaine Soliven, 20190611150000

Switching from mepolizumab to benralizumab led to a significant reduction in oral corticosteroid (OCS) dose and a better QoL* in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA), according to a small study presented at ATS 2019.

Selexipag most effective when initiated early after PAH diagnosis

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20190611140306

The reduced mortality/morbidity benefit previously demonstrated with selexipag in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) may be more pronounced when treatment is initiated soon after diagnosis, according to results of a post hoc analysis of the GRIPHON* study presented as a poster at ATS 2019.

FSSG questionnaire aids in diagnosis of GERD-related cough

Stephen Padilla, 20190607120000

Diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains unclear in patients with subacute/chronic cough, especially those with low blood eosinophil counts ≤150/μl, but using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaire may considerably help, suggests a study presented at the recent American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2019 International Conference held at Dallas, Texas in the US.

Dupilumab improves late-onset asthma outcomes

Elaine Soliven, 20190607120000

Treatment with dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 signalling, significantly reduces severe exacerbation rate and improves lung function in patients with late-onset asthma, according to results of a post hoc analysis of the Liberty Asthma Quest* trial presented at ATS 2019.

Bariatric surgery for sleep apnoea: Look beyond AHI

Jairia Dela Cruz, 20190607100000

Bariatric surgery plays a role in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), inducing improvements in apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI), symptoms and consequences, although the effect appears to be greater on the last two, according to an expert who spoke at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2019 International Conference.

Severe OSA ups risk of cardiovascular complications after major noncardiac surgery

Tristan Manalac, 20190607080000

Unrecognized severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) intensifies the risk of postoperative cardiovascular complications among at-risk adults receiving major noncardiac surgery, according to a new study presented at the recently concluded 2019 International Conference of the American Thoracic Society (ATS 2019).

Slideshow: Highlights from the American Thoracic Society 2019 (ATS 2019) International Conference

20190607063504

Slideshow: Highlights from the American Thoracic Society 2019 (ATS 2019) International Conference