Lung Cancer Presents at a Younger Age and Is Less Likely to be Curable in People Living with HIV.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, lung cancer remains the leading cause of malignancy-related death in men and women. There is increasing evidence that the risk for lung cancer in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) is higher than that of the general population. Given the high burden of PLHIV and lung cancer in Southern Africa, we aimed to compare the characteristics of PLHIV and HIV-negative lung cancer patients with regards to demographics, cell type, performance status, and tumour stage at presentation. METHODS: All patients who presented to a large tertiary hospital over a 7-year period with a confirmed tissue diagnosis of primary lung cancer were included in a prospective registry. The patient demographics, HIV status, as well as the patients' performance status according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) were documented. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 1,805 patients (mean age 60.0 years) of which 1,129 were male. In total, 133 were PLHIV and 1,292 were confirmed HIV-negative, while the remaining were categorised as HIV-unknown. PLHIV with lung cancer were found to be younger than the HIV-negative group (mean [±SD] 54.6 [9.3] versus 60.3 [10.1], p < 0.001). Notably, not a single PLHIV was diagnosed with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and only 7 of 133 (6.5%) had potentially curable disease NSCLC (up to stage IIIB) compared to 240 of 1292 HIV-negative patients (27.7%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PLHIV with lung cancer were diagnosed at a significantly younger age and were significantly less likely to have curable NSCLC at presentation.

Consensus on mild asthma management: results of a modified Delphi study.

OBJECTIVE: In order to understand the role of regular controller inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus as-needed ICS-formoterol in managing mild asthma, we performed a modified Delphi procedure. METHODS: Opinions from 16 respiratory experts to three surveys and during a virtual scientific workshop helped to develop final consensus statements (pre-defined as 70% agreement). RESULTS: Thirteen participants completed all rounds (response rate 81%). At the end of the procedure, there was final consensus on: regular daily ICS being the recommended treatment approach in mild persistent asthma, with better symptom control and robust long-term clinical data compared with as-needed ICS-formoterol (85%); to avoid noncompliance, frequently seen in mild asthma patients, regular ICS dosing should be accompanied by ongoing education on treatment adherence (100%); treatment aims should be targeting asthma control (92%) and reduction of exacerbation risk (85%). No consensus was reached on whether GINA or national guidelines most influence prescribing decisions. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to encourage patients to be adherent and to target both asthma control and exacerbation risk reduction. There is robust clinical evidence to support proactive regular dosing with ICS controller therapy plus as-needed short-acting beta-agonists for the management of patients with mild asthma.

Autologous Blood Patch Pleurodesis for the Management of a Persistent Air Leak after Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

Patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) complicated by persistent air leak (PAL) and who are poor surgical candidates have limited treatment options. This case series explored autologous blood patch pleurodesis as a possible cost-effective management option. A total of 46 episodes of SSP with PAL were included. The procedure was successful in 33 (71.7%). Of these, 17 (51.5%) resolved within 1 day. The mean duration of intercostal drainage prior to the blood patch was 22 days in the successful group. Pneumothoraces with incomplete lung re-expansion at the time of procedure were successful in 20 of 30 (66.7%). Only human immunodeficiency virus infection was associated with failure (p = 0.03). Adverse events included transient fever (n = 3) that resolved spontaneously, and empyema (n = 3) which were successfully managed with antibiotics and pigtail drainage. We conclude that a large proportion of patients with SSP complicated by PAL who are unfit for surgery may be liberated from intercostal drainage by an autologous blood patch pleurodesis, with minimal adverse effects.

The Utility of Pleural Fluid Lactate Dehydrogenase to Adenosine Deaminase Ratio in Pleural Tuberculosis.

In high-burden settings, the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis (TB) is frequently inferred in patients who present with lymphocyte predominant exudative effusions and high adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels. Two recent small retrospective studies suggested that the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)/ADA ratio is significantly lower in TB than in non-TB pleural effusions and that the LDH/ADA ratio may be useful in differentiating pleural TB from other pleural exudates. We compared the pleural LDH/ADA ratios, ADA levels, and lymphocyte predominance of a prospectively collected cohort of patients with proven pleural TB (n = 160) to those with a definitive alternative diagnosis (n = 68). The mean pleural fluid LDH/ADA ratio was lower in patients with pleural TB than alternative diagnoses (6.2 vs. 34.3, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.92 (p < 0.001) for LDH/ADA ratio and 0.88 (p < 0.001) for an ADA ≥40 U/L alone. A ratio of ≤12.5 had the best overall diagnostic efficiency, while a ratio of ≤10 had a specificity of 90% and a positive predictive value of 95%, with a sensitivity of 78%, making it a clinically useful "rule in" value for pleural TB in high incidence settings. When comparing the LDH/ADA ratio to an ADA level ≥40 U/L in the presence of a lymphocyte predominant effusion, the latter performed better. When lymphocyte values are unavailable, our data suggest that the LDH/ADA ratio is valuable in distinguishing TB effusions from other pleural exudates.

Relative Sparing of the Left Upper Zone on Chest Radiography in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia.

The radiological findings of COVID-19 are well-described, including its evolution. In an earlier report of admission chest radiographs of patients with COVID-19, we anecdotally noted relative sparing of the left upper zone (LUZ). We subsequently aimed to describe the main chest radiograph findings in another cohort, focusing on zonal predominance. The admission chest radiographs of 111 patients with CO-VID-19 pneumonia requiring intensive care admission were reviewed by 2 thoracic radiologists and categorized according to the predominant pattern into either ground-glass opacities (GGOs), alveolar infiltrates and/or consolidation, or reticular and/or nodular infiltrates or an equal combination of both, and the extent of disease involvement of each of the zones using a modified Radiologic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) score. Parenchymal changes were detected in all. In total, 106 radiographs showed GGOs, alveolar infiltrates, and/or consolidation, and 5 had a combination of reticular/nodular infiltrates as well as GGOs, alveolar infiltrates, and/or consolidation. The LUZ had a significant lower grading score than the right upper zone: 1 versus 2 (p < 0.001). Likewise, the upper zones had a significant lower score than the mid and lower zones (p < 0.001). Our findings confirmed the relative sparing of the LUZ in severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Simple Anatomical Calculations Possibly As Accurate As Three-Dimensional Lobar Quantification with SPECT-CT in Predicting Lung Function after Pulmonary Resection.

The estimation of predicted postoperative (PPO) lung function is important in lung resection candidates. We utilized simple anatomical calculations and single-photon emission computed tomography combined with computed tomography (SPECT-CT) to calculate PPO in 24 consecutive patients with impaired pulmonary function who underwent lung resection. PPO values calculated by anatomical calculations and three-dimensional lobar SPECT-CT quantification both correlated well with the postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s, with r = 0.825, p < 0.001 and r = 0.796, p < 0.001, respectively. Both techniques fared well at predicting postoperative lung function, but our observations unexpectedly suggested that simple anatomical calculations might be equivalent to three-dimensional SPECT-CT lobar quantification.

Endobronchial Valve Used as Salvage Therapy in a Mechanically Ventilated Patient with Intractable Life-Threatening Haemoptysis.

Treatment options for intractable life-threatening haemoptysis in mechanically ventilated patients with structural lung disease who do not respond to bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) and who are deemed unfit for surgery are limited. A 26-year-old HIV-positive male with a poorly preserved CD4 count and active pulmonary tuberculosis was intubated and mechanically ventilated for persistent life-threatening haemoptysis. Two attempts at BAE failed, and life-threatening haemoptysis recurred daily for 14 days despite antituberculous therapy. He was deemed unfit for surgery during that period. We proceeded to identify the source of bleeding endoscopically and implanted an endobronchial valve in the left upper lobe bronchus. Following the collapse of the affected lobe, haemoptysis ceased and the patient was promptly liberated from mechanical ventilation. He remained haemoptysis free for the duration of his hospitalisation. Endobronchial valves, therefore, may be a viable option in patients mechanically ventilated with persistent life-threatening haemoptysis in whom all other conventional measures fail and who are considered unfit for surgery.

Can Large Hydatid Cysts Resolve with Medical Treatment Alone?

A 66-year-old female from a rural area in South Africa presented with non-life-threatening haemoptysis. Radiologic and serological investigations attributed her symptoms to bilateral, large echinococcal cysts. She declined surgery despite her lung physiologic parameters, which deemed her eligible. Medical therapy with oral albendazole was initiated with excellent clinical and radiologic response during a follow-up period of 18 months. To our knowledge, this is one of the first reported cases in the literature that shows complete resolution of bilateral large echinococcal cysts with medical treatment alone in an adult patient.

The utility of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis and pleural biopsy in undiagnosed pleural exudates.

We assessed the utility of ultrasound to guide the selection of closed pleural biopsy technique and site and to assess the respective contributions of repeat thoracentesis and closed pleural biopsy in 100 consecutive patients with undiagnosed pleural exudates. Thoracentesis was more likely to be diagnostic in TB than malignancy (77.8% vs 31.0%, p<0.001). The addition of ultrasound-guided biopsy increased the combined yield for all diagnoses from 48.0% to 90.0% (p<0.001), for malignancy from 31.0% to 89.7% (p<0.001) and for TB from 77.8% to 88.9% (p=0.688). Our findings suggest that this minimally invasive approach has a high diagnostic yield.

The utility of Xpert MTB/RIF performed on bronchial washings obtained in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis in a high prevalence setting.

BACKGROUND: Xpert MTB/RIF has been shown to have a superior sensitivity to microscopy for acid fast bacilli (AFB) in sputum and has been recommended as a standard first line investigation for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Bronchoscopy is a valuable tool in diagnosing PTB in sputum negative patients. There is limited data on the utility of Xpert MTB/RIF performed on bronchial lavage specimens. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of Xpert MTB/RIF performed on bronchial washings in sputum scarce/negative patients with suspected PTB. METHODS: All patients with a clinical and radiological suspicion of PTB who underwent bronchoscopy between January 2013 and April 2014 were included. The diagnostic efficiencies of Xpert MTB/RIF and microscopy for AFB were compared to culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. RESULTS: Thirty nine of 112 patients were diagnosed with culture-positive PTB. Xpert MTB/RIF was positive in 36/39 with a sensitivity of 92.3% (95% CI 78-98%) for PTB, which was superior to that of smear microscopy (41%; 95% CI 26.0-57.8%, p = 0.005). The specificities of Xpert MTB/RIF and smear microscopy were 87.7% (95% CI 77.4-93.9%) and 98.6% (95% CI 91.6%-99.9%) respectively. Xpert MTB/RIF had a positive predictive value of 80% (95% CI; 65-89.9%) and negative predictive value of 95.5% (95% CI 86.6-98.8%). 3/9 patients with Xpert MTB/RIF positive culture negative results were treated for PTB based on clinical and radiological findings. CONCLUSION: Xpert MTB/RIF has a higher sensitivity than smear microscopy and similar specificity for the immediate confirmation of PTB in specimens obtained by bronchial washing, and should be utilised in patients with a high suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Efficacy of varenicline combined with nicotine replacement therapy vs varenicline alone for smoking cessation: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE: Behavioral approaches and pharmacotherapy are of proven benefit in assisting smokers to quit, but it is unclear whether combining nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with varenicline to improve abstinence is effective and safe. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining varenicline and a nicotine patch vs varenicline alone in smoking cessation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a 12-week treatment period and a further 12-week follow-up conducted in 7 centers in South Africa from April 2011 to October 2012. Four hundred forty-six generally healthy smokers were randomized (1:1); 435 were included in the efficacy and safety analyses. INTERVENTIONS: Nicotine or placebo patch treatment began 2 weeks before a target quit date (TQD) and continued for a further 12 weeks. Varenicline was begun 1 week prior to TQD, continued for a further 12 weeks, and tapered off during week 13. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Tobacco abstinence was established and confirmed by exhaled carbon monoxide measurements at TQD and at intervals thereafter up to 24 weeks. The primary end point was the 4-week exhaled carbon monoxide-confirmed continuous abstinence rate for weeks 9 through 12 of treatment, ie, the proportion of participants able to maintain complete abstinence from smoking for the last 4 weeks of treatment, as assessed using multiple imputation analysis. Secondary end points included point prevalence abstinence at 6 months, continuous abstinence rate from weeks 9 through 24, and adverse events. Multiple imputation also was used to address loss to follow-up. RESULTS: The combination treatment was associated with a higher continuous abstinence rate at 12 weeks (55.4% vs 40.9%; odds ratio [OR], 1.85; 95% CI, 1.19-2.89; P = .007) and 24 weeks (49.0% vs 32.6%; OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.25-3.14; P = .004) and point prevalence abstinence rate at 6 months (65.1% vs 46.7%; OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.32-3.43; P = .002). In the combination treatment group, there was a numerically greater incidence of nausea, sleep disturbance, skin reactions, constipation, and depression, with only skin reactions reaching statistical significance (14.4% vs 7.8%; P = .03); the varenicline-alone group experienced more abnormal dreams and headaches. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Varenicline in combination with NRT was more effective than varenicline alone at achieving tobacco abstinence at 12 weeks (end of treatment) and at 6 months. Further studies are needed to assess long-term efficacy and safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01444131.

The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension after successful tuberculosis treatment in a community sample of adult patients.

There are an estimated 155 million survivors of tuberculosis (TB). Clinical experience suggests that post tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD) is an important cause of Group 3 pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, TB is not listed as a cause of PH in most guidelines. A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in nonhealthcare seeking adults who had successfully completed TB treatment. Subjects underwent questionnaires, spirometry, a 6-min walk distance test (6MWD) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Screen probable PH was defined on TTE as an estimated pulmonary artery peak systolic pressure (PASP) of ≥40 mmHg. One hundred adults (71 males) were enrolled, with a mean age of 42 years (SD 13.8 years) and a median of one TB episode (interquartile range: 1-2). Co-morbidities included hypertension (21%), diabetes (16%), human immunodeficiency virus (10%) and asthma/COPD (5%). Only 25% had no residual symptoms after TB. Probable PH was found in 9%, while 7% had borderline raised PASP values (PASP 35-40 mmHg). An association was found between PH and the number of previous TB episodes, with each additional episode of TB increasing the odds of PH-postTB 2.13-fold (confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-3.88; p = 0.013). All of those found to have PH were smokers or ex-smokers yielding an unadjusted odds ratio for PH-postTB of 3.67 (95% CI: 0.77-17.46). There was no statistical difference in spirometry or 6MWD, between those with and without PH. Neither symptoms nor co-morbidities demonstrated significant association with PH. PH after TB was a common finding in this community-based population. Further research is needed to confirm and determine the significance of these findings.

Rapidly progressive respiratory failure due to antisynthetase syndrome related interstitial lung disease.

A 65-year-old female was admitted with rapidly progressive respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. She was considered to have an infective exacerbation of underlying interstitial lung disease (ILD). She improved on antibiotics, but the interstitial process progressed rapidly, and she could not be weaned. An antimyositis antibody panel yielded a strongly positive anti-Jo-1 and anti-Ro 52. A diagnosis of antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) associated ILD, a very rare disease with high mortality, was made. She was managed with high-dose corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and was eventually liberated from mechanical ventilation. This case highlights the importance of considering ASS in an otherwise unexplained rapidly progressive ILD requiring mechanical ventilation.

The association between acid-base status and clinical outcome in critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit with an emphasis on high anion gap metabolic acidosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify arterial blood gas (ABG) abnormalities, with a focus on a high anion gap (AG) metabolic acidosis and evaluate outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted to the ICU. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Cape Town during the first and second COVID-19 waves. Age, gender, sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), bicarbonate (HCO3std), pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), lactate levels and ABG results were obtained. The Pearson χ2 test or Fisher exact test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare mortality and survival. To identify factors associated with non-survival, a multivariable model was developed. RESULTS: This study included 465 patients, 226 (48%) of whom were female. The sample population's median (IQR) age was 54.2 (46.1-61.3) years, and 63% of the patients died. ABG analyses found that 283 (61%) of the 465 patients had alkalosis (pH ≥ 7.45), 65 (14%) had acidosis (pH ≤ 7.35) and 117 (25%) had normal pH (7.35-7.45). In the group with alkalosis, 199 (70.3%) had a metabolic alkalosis and in the group with acidosis, 42 (64%) had a metabolic acidosis with an increased AG of more than 17. Non-survivors were older than survivors (56.4 years versus 50.3 years, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Most of the COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU had an alkalosis, and those with acidosis had a much worse prognosis. Higher AG metabolic acidosis was not associated with patients' characteristics.

An investigation of the correlation of vitamin D status and management outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 at a South African tertiary hospital.

Background: Severe COVID-19 has a poor prognosis, and biomarkers may predict disease severity. This study aimed to assess the effect of baseline Vitamin D (VitD) inadequacy on outcome of patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary hospital in South Africa. Methods: Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 were recruited during wave II of the pandemic in Cape Town. Eighty-six patients were included in the study. They were categorized into three groups "VitD deficient, VitD insufficient and VitD sufficient". We combined the VitD deficient with insufficient group to form "VitD inadequate'' group. Cox regression analysis was done to assess the association between VitD status and mortality. Factors with p< 0.05 in adjusted multivariable cox regression were considered statistically significant. Results: The proportion of VitD inadequacy was 64% (55/86), with significantly higher proportion of hypertension (66%; p 0.012). Kaplan Meir curve showed no significant difference in the probability of survival among the COVID-19 patients admitted in the ICU with or without VitD inadequacy. However, patients with elevated serum creatinine were significantly more at risk of dying (Adjusted Hazard Ratio 1.008 (1.002 - 1.030, p<0.017). Conclusion: Our study found a high prevalence of VitD inadequacy (combined deficiency and insufficiency) in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. This may indicate a possible risk of severe disease. Whilst there was no statistically significant relationship between VitD status and mortality in this cohort, baseline VitD may be an important prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU, particularly in those with comorbidities that predispose to VitD deficiency.

Immunologic and vascular biomarkers of mortality in critical COVID-19 in a South African cohort.

Introduction: Biomarkers predicting mortality among critical Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients provide insight into the underlying pathophysiology of fatal disease and assist with triaging of cases in overburdened settings. However, data describing these biomarkers in Sub-Saharan African populations are sparse. Methods: We collected serum samples and corresponding clinical data from 87 patients with critical COVID-19 on day 1 of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A second sample from the same patients was collected on day 7 of ICU admission. Patients were followed up until in-hospital death or hospital discharge. A custom-designed 52 biomarker panel was performed on the Luminex® platform. Data were analyzed for any association between biomarkers and mortality based on pre-determined functional groups, and individual analytes. Results: Of 87 patients, 55 (63.2%) died and 32 (36.8%) survived. We found a dysregulated cytokine response in patients who died, with elevated levels of type-1 and type-2 cytokines, chemokines, and acute phase reactants, as well as reduced levels of regulatory T cell cytokines. Interleukin (IL)-15 and IL-18 were elevated in those who died, and levels reduced over time in those who survived. Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein, Endothelin-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were elevated in those who died. Discussion: These results show the pattern of dysregulation in critical COVID-19 in a Sub-Saharan African cohort. They suggest that fatal COVID-19 involved excessive activation of cytotoxic cells and the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3) inflammasome. Furthermore, superinfection and endothelial dysfunction with thrombosis might have contributed to mortality. HIV infection did not affect the outcome. A clinically relevant biosignature including PCT, pH and lymphocyte percentage on differential count, had an 84.8% sensitivity for mortality, and outperformed the Luminex-derived biosignature.

The ACT and the ATAQ are useful surrogates for asthma control in resource-poor countries with inadequate spirometric facilities.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the utility of simple asthma control questionnaires in assessing the asthma control in our practice setting. METHODS: The Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (ATAQ), and mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini AQLQ) were administered to previously diagnosed asthma patients. Spirometry was performed to obtain the prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). The relationship between test scores (ACT and ATAQ) and the FEV1 and mini AQLQ scores, respectively, was explored. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients (mean age 41 ± 15.3 years, 61 (57.5%) females) participated in the study. The mean ACT score was 17 ± 5.3 and the mean ATAQ score was 1.46 ± 1.34. There was a significant positive correlation between the ACT score and FEV1% predicted indicating the improvement in asthma control when FEV1% predicted increases (Pearson's correlation = 0.518, R² = 0.268, p < .0001) and a negative correlation between the ATAQ score and FEV1% predicted also indicating the improvement in asthma control when FEV1% predicted increases (Pearson's correlation = -0.516, R² = 0.266, p < .0001). The ACT score was significantly and positively related to the mini AQLQ score signifying an improvement in quality of life with increasing ACT score (Pearson's correlation = 0.691, R² = 0.461, p < .0001).The ATAQ score was significantly and negatively related to the mini AQLQ score indicating an improvement in quality of life with decreasing ATAQ score (Pearson's correlation = -0.654, R² = 0.428, p ≤ .0001). The FEV1% predicted and the mini AQLQ score were the only significant determinants of both the ACT score and the ATAQ score. CONCLUSION: The ACT and ATAQ are the objective and reliable tools in determining asthma control due to their strong correlation with the FEV1 and the asthma-specific health-related quality of life. Use of either questionnaire routinely will identify more patients with poor asthma control even when spirometry services are not readily available.

New Versus Old: The Impact of Changing Patterns of Inhaled Corticosteroid Prescribing and Dosing Regimens in Asthma Management.

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing therapies are the mainstay of pharmacological management of asthma. They can be administered alone or in combination with a long-acting bronchodilator, depending on asthma severity, and may also be supplemented with short-acting bronchodilators for as-needed rescue medication. Adherence to asthma therapies is generally poor and characterized by underuse of ICS therapies and over-reliance on short-acting bronchodilators, which leads to poor clinical outcomes. This article reviews efficacy versus systemic activity profiles for various dosing regimens of budesonide (BUD) and fluticasone propionate (FP). We performed a structured literature review of BUD and FP regular daily dosing, and BUD/formoterol (FOR) as-needed dosing, to explore the relationship between various dosing patterns of ICS regimens and the risk-benefit profile in terms of the extent of bronchoprotection and cortisol suppression. In addition, we explored how adherence could potentially affect the risk-benefit profile, in patients with mild, moderate, and moderate-to-severe asthma. With a specific focus on BUD or FP-containing treatments, we found that regular daily ICS and ICS/long-acting ß2-agonist (LABA) dosing had a greater degree of bronchoprotection than as-needed BUD/FOR dosing or BUD/FOR maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) dosing, and still maintained low systemic activity. We also found that the benefits of regular daily ICS dosing regimens were diminished when adherence was low (50%); the shorter duration of bronchoprotection observed was similar to that seen with typical as-needed BUD/FOR usage. These findings have implications for aiding clinicians with selecting the most suitable treatment option for asthma management, and subsequent implications for the advice clinicians give their patients.

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing therapies can be administered in a variety of ways depending on a patient's asthma severity. Patients with mild asthma tend to experience symptom relief with as-needed or regular daily use of an ICS alone, whereas patients with more severe asthma may require regular daily use of an ICS plus a long-acting ß₂-agonist (LABA) to experience sufficient asthma control. However, failure to correctly adhere to ICS-containing therapies or an over-reliance on short-acting bronchodilators for symptom relief hinders optimal asthma management, thus negatively affecting overall patient health and wellbeing. Understanding how different dosing regimens affect the degree of bronchoprotection (efficacy) and cortisol suppression (systemic activity) of ICS treatments would benefit physicians by helping them to prescribe the most appropriate treatment for their patient's asthma. We performed a structured literature review of two ICS molecules­budesonide (BUD) (alone and combined with formoterol [FOR]) and fluticasone propionate (FP)­to explore the relationship between various ICS dosing regimens, and then used these findings to construct models for ICS risk­benefit profiles. Our models factored in different ICS dosing regimens­as-needed, regular daily dosing, and maintenance and reliever therapy (MART)­and various degrees of treatment adherence. We found that regular daily ICS and ICS/LABA dosing provided better bronchoprotection than as-needed BUD/FOR dosing or BUD/FOR MART dosing, but this benefit was diminished with low adherence. Regular daily dosing maintained low cortisol suppression, which indicated a fairly low risk of negative side effects. Our findings have subsequent implications for optimizing treatment in patients with asthma.