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Respirology

Methotrexate better than azathioprine in reducing infection risk in sarcoidosis

Stephen Padilla, 13 hours ago

Initiation of methotrexate appears to lower the risk of infection in patients with sarcoidosis at 6 months as compared to azathioprine, suggest the results from the emulation of a target trial with pre-existing data. However, the favourable effect of methotrexate is attenuated at 9 months.

Increased meat intake may up risk of several non-cancerous conditions

Roshini Claire Anthony, Yesterday

An increasing intake of unprocessed red meat and processed meat may be tied to an elevated risk of multiple medical conditions, according to a recent prospective study from the UK.

Risk of COVID-19 transmission in Singapore households increases with age

Audrey Abella, Yesterday

Older adults and elderly individuals are still more susceptible to acquiring COVID-19 infection than younger individuals, even if individuals from both age groups stayed in the same household, a Singapore study has shown.

Real-world use affirms benefit of triple therapy in COPD

Jairia Dela Cruz, 2 days ago

Inhaled triple therapy containing beclomethasone dipropionate, formoterol fumarate, and glycopyrronium helps improve lung function and symptom control, as well as cut the frequency of exacerbations, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) treated in a real-world setting, according to data from the TRICOP noninterventional study.

ABCD offers solution to ventilator shortage during COVID-19 pandemic

Stephen Padilla, 4 days ago

The Artificial Breathing Capability Device, or ABCD, has been shown to be safe, efficacious, and cost-effective option for respiratory support, according to a study. It can be considered for adults and children when there is a shortage of ventilators especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Management of MDROs in the ICU and the role of newer antimicrobial agents

Prof. David Paterson, 30 Mar 2021

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are at risk of developing serious infections with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), which require appropriate and adequate antibiotic coverage. Early empirical coverage is pivotal in saving patients’ lives. At a recent webinar co-organized by the Society of Infectious Disease (Singapore) and Pfizer, renowned Professor David Paterson, Professor of Medicine and Director, The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, and Consultant Infectious Diseases Physician, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, discussed the role of newer antimicrobial agents, including ceftazidime-avibactam (Zavicefta) in the management of MDROs in the ICU. Dr Wong Sin Yew, Infectious Disease Physician at Gleneagles Medical Centre and Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore, chaired the event.

Tackling multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections in critically ill patients: Challenging the standard approach

Dr. Asok Kurup, Dr. Kenneth Chan, 07 Dec 2020

The rising incidence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria has become a serious health threat and a major challenge for intensivists. Against a backdrop of high patient mortality and risk factors for infection in intensive care units (ICU), early adequate therapy is of paramount importance. At a recent Pfizer-sponsored symposium, Dr Asok Kurup, Infectious Disease Physician, Singapore presented the implications of MDR gram-negative infections in critically ill patients in Asia, while Dr Kenneth Chan, Respiratory Physician and Intensivist, Singapore highlighted the role of ceftazidime-avibactam (Zavicefta) and shared published real-world data on ceftazidime-avibactam.

Preventing influenza during COVID-19: The importance of annual immunisations

01 Nov 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread around the globe, comparison is often drawn to influenza, another contagious respiratory-borne disease. Recently, Dr Azureen Azmel, a consultant infectious disease physician at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR), and Dr Leong Chee Loon, a consultant infectious disease physician with Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), came together to discuss about the importance of annual influenza vaccination during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Mepolizumab: Targeting eosinophils in severe asthma with precision medicine

Pearl Toh, 16 Sep 2020

Mepolizumab, a first-in-class anti-IL-5* antibody, effectively prevents asthma exacerbations in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA), according to a presentation at the ERS 2020 Congress.

Expert consensus: Patient profile should guide antihistamine choice in primary care setting

10 Dec 2019

Oral H₁-antihistamines are the initial treatment of choice for allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic urticaria in the primary care setting. However, in a diverse population of patients with AR and urticaria, primary care physicians are faced with the challenge of prescribing the best therapy amid a wide armamentarium of antihistamines available.

Tezepelumab triumphs in severe, uncontrolled asthma

Roshini Claire Anthony, 12 Apr 2021

Treatment with the human monoclonal antibody tezepelumab reduced exacerbations and improved asthma control, lung function, and quality of life in adults and adolescents with severe, uncontrolled asthma, according to the phase III NAVIGATOR study presented as a poster at AAAAI 2021.

Face mask use does not impact oxygen saturation in asthma patients

Roshini Claire Anthony, 26 Mar 2021

The use of face masks to reduce transmission of COVID-19 does not appear to affect oxygen saturation levels in individuals with asthma, according to a study presented at AAAAI 2021.

Dupilumab cuts exacerbations in difficult-to-treat type 2 asthma

Pearl Toh, 19 Mar 2021

Dupilumab effectively prevents severe asthma exacerbations and improves lung function in patients with difficult-to-treat type 2 asthma, according to a post hoc analysis of the LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST study presented at AAAAI 2021.

Benralizumab may help reduce OCS reliance in asthma

Roshini Claire Anthony, 18 Mar 2021

Patients with asthma reliant on oral corticosteroids (OCS) may be able to gradually cease or reduce their OCS dose after initiating treatment with benralizumab, according to results of the phase IIIb PONENTE* trial.

Mepolizumab benefits patients with severe asthma across the board

Pearl Toh, 14 Mar 2021

The interleukin-5 (IL-5) inhibitor mepolizumab reduces asthma exacerbations in patients with severe asthma across a broad range of baseline clinical characteristics and regardless of comorbidities, according to studies presented at the 2021 AAAAI Meeting.

Challenges and evidence gaps in management of mild asthma

Natalia Reoutova, 26 Jan 2021

Mild cases are estimated to comprise over half of the overall asthma population. Unlike in most other chronic conditions, patients with mild asthma are still at risk of serious outcomes, including death, according to Professor Helen Reddel of the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, who spoke at the Advances in Medicine 2020 virtual conference. [Eur Respir J 2007;30:403-406; Can Respir J 2010;17:74-80; Royal College of Physicians. Why asthma still kills: National Review of Asthma Deaths Confidential Enquiry Report. London, 2014]

Deciphering guiding principles for dual and triple therapy in COPD

Natalia Reoutova, 26 Jan 2021

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease that is not well understood. Therapy for COPD is often started late, while triple therapy or inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing regimens are used inappropriately in some patients.