The Effect of Priming new Plastic Spacers with 20 Puffs Salbutamol on Bronchodilator Response in Asthmatic Children.

The static charge on the plastic body of spacers attracts drug aerosols, reducing the drug available for inhalation from plastic spacers. Some instructions exist to decrease the electric charge on plastic spacers, such as priming them with salbutamol (20 puffs) before use. This study investigates whether priming plastic spacer devices with this method can improve the bronchodilator test result. This study included children with stable mild to moderate asthma. All subjects underwent two pulmonary function tests to evaluate their bronchodilator response on separate days at 24-48 hours intervals. On each day, spirometry was performed at the baseline and 15 min after inhalation of four puffs of salbutamol (100 µg/puff) through either a primed or a new spacer. The change in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) after inhaling salbutamol was the primary outcome measure. When the patients used a new spacer, the mean baseline FEV1 (% predicted) and FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) were 89.56±11.95 and 86.17±6.87, respectively. However, the mean increase in FEV1 from the baseline was 10.87±8.99 in this group. On the other hand, with the primed spacer, the respective mean baseline FEV1 and FEV1/FVC values were 89.41±12.14 and 85.49±6.76, while it increased by 12.1±11.01 after salbutamol inhalation. There were no significant differences between the techniques regarding the variation in FEV1 before and after bronchodilator use via a new spacer or primed spacer. Priming new plastic spacers with 20 puffs of salbutamol did not cause additional bronchodilation in asthmatic children, suggesting this practice is inefficient in clinics.

Relationships between symptoms and lung function in asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a real-life setting: the NOVEL observational longiTudinal studY.

BACKGROUND: The relationships between spirometric assessment of lung function and symptoms (including exacerbations) in patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a real-life setting are uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationships between baseline post-bronchodilator (post-BD) spirometry measures of lung function and symptoms and exacerbations in patients with a physician-assigned diagnosis of asthma and/or COPD. DESIGN: The NOVEL observational longiTudinal studY (NOVELTY) is a global, prospective, 3-year observational study. METHODS: Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate relationships. Spirometry measures were assessed as percent predicted (%pred). Symptoms were assessed at baseline, and exacerbations were assessed at baseline and Year 1. RESULTS: A total of 11,181 patients in NOVELTY had spirometry data (asthma, n = 5903; COPD, n = 3881; asthma + COPD, n = 1397). A 10% lower post-BD %pred forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) - adjusted for age and sex - were significantly associated with dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council ⩾ grade 2), frequent breathlessness [St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)], frequent wheeze attacks (SGRQ), nocturnal awakening (Respiratory Symptoms Questionnaire; ⩾1 night/week), and frequent productive cough (SGRQ). Lower post-BD %pred FEV1 and, to a lesser extent, lower post-BD %pred FVC were significantly associated with ⩾1 physician-reported exacerbation at baseline or Year 1. This association was stronger in patients with COPD than in those with asthma. CONCLUSION: In a real-life setting, reduced lung function is consistently associated with symptoms in patients with asthma, COPD, or asthma + COPD. The relationship with exacerbations is stronger in COPD only than in asthma. TRAIL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02760329 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Relationships between symptoms and lung function in asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a study performed in a real-life setting: the NOVELTY studyBackground: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have many symptoms in common. To confirm diagnosis, doctors use spirometry, a test to measure the amount of air that can be breathed out from the lungs and how fast it can be blown out. The relationship between these measurements and symptoms in asthma and COPD is not well understood.Objectives: The aim of this research is to describe the characteristics, treatment, and impact of asthma and/or COPD in patients who are receiving their usual medical care.Methods: NOVELTY is a large study of around 12,000 patients across 19 countries. This analysis of NOVELTY looked at the relationships between two spirometry measurements and the symptoms of asthma and/or COPD experienced by patients. The spirometry measurements were: - forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) ­ the amount of air that can be blown out of the lungs in 1 second- forced vital capacity (FVC) ­ the amount of air that can be forcibly breathed out from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possibleResults: The lower the FEV₁ and FVC, the more common the symptoms of breathlessness, wheeze attacks, night-time awakening, and coughing up of phlegm or mucus. These relationships were similar for FEV₁ and FVC. Lower FEV₁ was more strongly associated with worse symptoms in COPD than in asthma.Conclusion: These findings help to improve our understanding of the relationships between spirometry measures and symptoms in patients with asthma and/or COPD.

[Quelles indications pour la corticothérapie dans la BPCO ?] / What are the indications for corticosteroid therapy in COPD?

WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS FOR CORTICOSTEROID THERAPY IN COPD? In stable state chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) should be used in case of frequent exacerbation only, associated with long-term bronchodilators including long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). When frequent exacerbations persist despite dual inhaled therapy (LABA + CSI or LABA+LAMA), triple inhaled therapy (LAMA+LABA+CSI) is indicated. In COPD exacerbation, the level of evidence for systemic corticosteroids is very low, justifying not to systematically prescribe systemic corticosteroids and when used to restrict this use to short-term (5 days) and low doses.

QUELLES SONT LES INDICATIONS POUR LA CORTICOTHÉRAPIE DANS LA BPCO ? Dans la bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) à l'état stable, les corticostéroïdes inhalés (CSI) ne sont à utiliser qu'en cas d'exacerbations fréquentes, en association avec des bronchodilatateurs de longue durée d'action de type bêta-2-agoniste de longue durée d'action (LABA) et anticholinergique de longue durée d'action (LAMA). En cas de persistance d'exacerbations fréquentes malgré une bithérapie inhalée (LABA-CSI ou LAMA-LABA), une triple thérapie (LAMA-LABA CSI) peut être proposée. En cas d'exacerbation de BPCO, le niveau de preuve de la corticothérapie systémique est faible, justifiant ne pas recourir à ce traitement de façon systématique ou de le réaliser en cures courtes (cinq jours) et à faibles doses quand il est prescrit.

Acute viral bronchiolitis phenotype in response to glucocorticoid and bronchodilator treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether infants admitted to hospital with Acute Viral Bronchiolitis (AVB), who received glucocorticoids and bronchodilators, and who had an atopic phenotype, spent less time in hospital and/or less time on oxygen therapy when compared to those who did not have the phenotype. METHOD: A cross-sectional, retrospective epidemiological study was developed with data from medical records of infants admitted to hospital due to AVB from 2012 to 2019 in a sentinel public hospital. It was verified that the frequency of prescription of glucocorticoids, bronchodilators and antibiotics. Length of stay and oxygen therapy duration were then compared in the group that used glucocorticoids and bronchodilators between those who had a personal or family history of atopy and those who did not. Subsequently, the length of hospital stay was compared among infants who received antibiotic therapy and those who did not. RESULTS: Fifty-eight infants were included. Of these, 62.1 % received an antibiotic, 100 % a bronchodilator and 98.3 % a glucocorticoid. When comparing infants without a family history of atopy, those who received antibiotics had a longer hospital stay (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The presence of an atopic phenotype did not interfere with the length of stay and/or oxygen therapy duration of those who received bronchodilators and glucocorticoids. Increased length of stay of infants without a family history of atopy, who used antibiotics without evidence of bacterial co-infection, and the high frequency of prescription of non-recommended drugs call attention to stricter protocol implementation and professional training in AVB diagnosis and care.

Monitoring COPD patients: systemic and bronchial eosinophilic inflammation in a 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: High blood eosinophils seem to predict exacerbations and response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) treatment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate for 2 years, blood and sputum eosinophils in COPD patients treated with bronchodilators only at recruitment. METHODS: COPD patients in stable condition treated with bronchodilators only underwent monitoring of lung function, blood and sputum eosinophils, exacerbations and comorbidities every 6 months for 2 years. ICS was added during follow-up when symptoms worsened. RESULTS: 63 COPD patients were enrolled: 53 were followed for 1 year, 41 for 2 years, 10 dropped-out. After 2 years, ICS was added in 12/41 patients (29%) without any statistically significant difference at time points considered. Blood and sputum eosinophils did not change during follow-up. Only FEV1/FVC at T0 was predictive of ICS addition during the 2 year-follow-up (OR:0.91; 95% CI: 0.83-0.99, p = 0.03). ICS addition did not impact on delta (T24-T0) FEV1, blood and sputum eosinophils and exacerbations. After 2 years, patients who received ICS had higher blood eosinophils than those in bronchodilator therapy (p = 0.042). Patients with history of ischemic heart disease increased blood eosinophils after 2 years [p = 0.03 for both percentage and counts]. CONCLUSIONS: Blood and sputum eosinophils remained stable during the 2 year follow-up and were not associated with worsened symptoms or exacerbations. Almost 30% of mild/moderate COPD patients in bronchodilator therapy at enrollment, received ICS for worsened symptoms in a 2 year-follow-up and only FEV1/FVC at T0 seems to predict this addition. History of ischemic heart disease seems to be associated with a progressive increase of blood eosinophils.

Critical reappraisal of short-acting bronchodilators for pediatric respiratory diseases.

Short-acting bronchodilators are a class of medications commonly used to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other respiratory conditions. The use of these medications has evolved over time as we have gained a better understanding of their effectiveness and safety in the pediatric population. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current understanding of short-acting ß2-agonists and short-acting anticholinergics in children. It addresses indications, contraindications, safety considerations, and highlights areas where further research is needed to guide the most effective use of short-acting bronchodilators.

[COPD exacerbations]. / Exacerbations de BPCO.

COPD EXACERBATIONS. COPD exacerbations, characterized by an acute worsening of dyspnea and/or cough and sputum volume beyond daily variations, are a public health issue because of their frequency, the number of hospitalizations and the high rate of recurrence. Because of non-specific symptoms, differential diagnoses must be ruled out. Additional tests are rarely necessary, and treatment is outpatient, except in severe cases (respiratory distress, severity of COPD, socio-economic conditions). Increased bronchodilator treatment, and sometimes antibiotic and/or systemic corticosteroid therapy, are the main measures to be introduced and should be systematically reassessed. After an exacerbation, the aim is to optimize follow-up and treatment, to prevent recurrences.

EXACERBATIONS DE BPCO. Les exacerbations de bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (EBPCO), caractérisées par une aggravation aiguë de la dyspnée et/ou de la toux et du volume de l'expectoration au-delà des variations quotidiennes, constituent un enjeu de santé publique du fait de leur fréquence, du nombre d'hospitalisations et du taux élevé de récidives. L'absence de spécificité des symptômes impose d'éliminer les diagnostics différentiels. Les examens complémentaires sont rarement nécessaires, et le traitement est ambulatoire hormis en cas de signes de gravité (détresse respiratoire, sévérité de la BPCO, conditions socio-économiques). La majoration du traitement bronchodilatateur, parfois une antibiothérapie et/ou une corticothérapie systémique sont les principales mesures à instaurer et doivent faire l'objet d'une réévaluation systématique. Après une exacerbation, l'optimisation du suivi et du traitement a pour objectif la prévention d'une récidive.

Bronchodilator response assessment through impulse oscillometry system and spirometry in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of bronchodilator on the respiratory mechanics and pulmonary function of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on clinically stable children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis aged from six to 15 years. Participants underwent impulse oscillometry and spirometry evaluations before and 15 minutes after bronchodilator inhalation. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to verify the sample distribution, and the Student's t-test and Wilcoxon test were used to compare the data before and after bronchodilator inhalation. RESULTS: The study included 54 individuals with a mean age of 9.7±2.8 years. The analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in impulse oscillometry and spirometry parameters after bronchodilator inhalation. However, according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) recommendations (2020 and 2021), this improvement was not sufficient to classify it as a bronchodilator response. CONCLUSIONS: The use of bronchodilator medication improved respiratory mechanics and pulmonary function parameters of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis; however, most patients did not show bronchodilator response according to ATS/ERS recommendations.

Pharmaceutical treatment status of patients with COPD in the community based on medical Internet of Things: a real-world study.

This study aimed to investigate the real-world standardisation and adherence of medical treatment regimens in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the community for making future management strategy. The follow-up data and treatment information of patients with COPD, which were collected through the Management Information Center of COPD (MICCOPD) in 21 community health service centres in Songjiang District, a countryside region of Shanghai. Concordance between the pharmaceutical treatment plan and recommendation of 2017 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) report during the follow-up management period, as well as the medication adherence by patients,were analysed. Out of the 2044 patients diagnosed with COPD, 814 patients (39.8%) who had an initial record of medication use were found to meet the inclusion criteria. The most common medication regimens were long-acting beta-agonist plus inhaled corticosteroids (35.9%) and oral bronchodilators (41.9%). Among these 814 patients, 45.7%, 38.0%, 31.6% and 14.6% adhered to the treatment after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of follow-up, respectively. The concordance rate with the regimens recommended by the 2017 GOLD guidelines was 35.5% at baseline, 35.5% at 6 months, 32.7% at 12 months, 35.4% at 18 months and 37% at 24 months. The compliance and guideline consistency rates of patients with COPD in the community under the management of general practitioners need to be improved. Enhancing general practitioner proficiency in the prevention and management of COPD and increasing patient awareness of the condition, are crucial standardising and improving adherence to initial and follow-up COPD treatments.

[New clinical guidelines for COPD - a paradigm shift: A review].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is now one of the most common noncommunicable diseases and the main causes of morbidity, disability and mortality in the world. In recent years, new approaches to epidemiology, diagnosis, classification (categorization), evaluation of phenotypes, as well as characterization and assessment of the severity of сhronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations have emerged. Modern approaches to starting and subsequent drug therapy have changed significantly. This is largely due to the results of recently conducted major clinical trials, demonstrated high efficacy of triple fixed combinations, including inhaled glucocorticosteroids, long-acting beta-agonists and long-acting anticholinergic drugs. The use of non-medication methods (smoking cessation, physical activity and respiratory rehabilitation) and modern approaches to the treatment of respiratory failure and antibiotic therapy remain important. In terms of their significance, all these updates have a significant impact on real clinical practice and can be considered as a novel paradigm of the approaches to the diagnosis and management of this disease.

Management Reality of Female Patients with COPD: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional CAP Study in Japan.

Background: Reports from Europe and North America suggest that female chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have a higher symptom burden and mortality than male patients. However, little is known about the management reality of female patients with COPD in Japan. Patients and Methods: We compared the clinical characteristics of female COPD patients with those of male using the cohort of the COPD Assessment in Practice study, which is a cross-sectional multicenter observational study. Results: Of the 1168 patients, 133 (11.4%) were female. A history of never smoking was higher in females than males (p<0.01). Although there was no difference in age or forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) % predicted between the groups, modified medical research council dyspnea scale (mMRC) and number of frequent exacerbators were higher in females (mMRC≥2: p<0.01; number of exacerbations≥2: p=0.011). The mean forced vital capacity and FEV1 values in females were lower than those in males (p<0.0001 and p<0.0001, respectively). Females were more likely to use long-term oxygen therapy and inhaled corticosteroids than males (p=0.016 and p<0.01, respectively). The prevalence of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) groups B, C, D (ABCD GOLD 2017 classification), and E (ABE GOLD 2023 classification) was higher in females than in males. Conclusion: The disease burden of female patients with COPD is higher than that of male patients in Japan, suggesting the importance of interventions considering female-dominant features such as lower absolute FVC and FEV1, respiratory failure, and asthma-like conditions.

Role of nebulised magnesium sulfate in treating acute asthma in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To review the efficacy of nebulised magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) in acute asthma in children. METHODS: The authors searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published until 15 December 2023. RCTs were included if they compared the efficacy and safety of nebulised MgSO4 as a second-line agent in children presenting with acute asthma exacerbation. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, and the Risk of Bias V.2 tool was used to assess the biases among them. RESULTS: 10 RCTs enrolling 2301 children with acute asthma were included. All trials were placebo controlled and administered nebulised MgSO4/placebo and salbutamol (±ipratropium bromide). There was no significant difference in Composite Asthma Severity Score between the two groups (6 RCTs, 1953 participants; standardised mean difference: -0.09; 95% CI: -0.2 to +0.02, I2=21%). Children in the MgSO4 group have significantly better peak expiratory flow rate (% predicted) than the control group (2 RCTs, 145 participants; mean difference: 19.3; 95% CI: 8.9 to 29.8; I2=0%). There was no difference in the need for hospitalisation, intensive care unit admission or duration of hospital stay. Adverse events were minor, infrequent (7.3%) and similar among the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is low-certainty evidence that nebulised MgSO4 as an add-on second-line therapy for acute asthma in children does not reduce asthma severity or a need for hospitalisation. However, it was associated with slightly better lung functions. The current evidence does not support the routine use of nebulised MgSO4 in paediatric acute asthma management. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022373692.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium bromide/vilanterol and umeclidinium bromide/vilanterol in the management of moderate and severe COPD in China.

OBJECTIVE: A study has analyzed the long-term cost-effectiveness of fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium bromide/vilanterol combination therapy (FF/UMEC/VI) versus umeclidinium bromide/vilanterol dual therapy (UMEC/VI) in the treatment of moderate or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), providing evidence for decision-making in COPD treatment. METHODS: From the perspective of the whole society, a Markov model based on the severity of COPD was established, consisting of four states: moderate, severe, very severe, and death. The cycle of the model is three months, and the time frame of the study is 20 years. Data such as initial states, transition probabilities, costs, and utilities were collected from published literature, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) COPD economic report, Yaozh database, and the National Statistics Office. The discount rate is 5 %, and the willingness to pay threshold is set at three times the per capita GDP of China in 2022. TreeAge Pro 2011 was used to obtain the results of multiplication analyses, and one-way factor analysis and probability sensitivity analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The study findings demonstrate that for patients treated with FF/UMEC/VI and UMEC/VI, the 20-year treatment costs amount to $10,126.46 and $10,685.74, respectively. Similarly, the effectiveness is 32.94 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and 32.19 QALYs, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is $-745.70/QALY, which is lower than the willingness to pay threshold. The tornado plot from one-way factor analysis indicates that the first two factors impacting the results are the utility values for severe COPD of UMEC/VI and FF/UMEC/VI. Probability sensitivity analysis indicates that FF/UMEC/VI compared to UMEC/VI can be considered a more cost-effective treatment at the willingness to pay threshold of $35,806.96. CONCLUSION: The triple therapy (FF/UMEC/VI) is more affordable than dual therapy (UMEC/VI) when compared to China's three times GDP per capita criterion.