Immune mechanisms in fibrotic interstitial lung disease.

Fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (fILDs) have poor survival rates and lack effective therapies. Despite evidence for immune mechanisms in lung fibrosis, immunotherapies have been unsuccessful for major types of fILD. Here, we review immunological mechanisms in lung fibrosis that have the potential to impact clinical practice. We first examine innate immunity, which is broadly involved across fILD subtypes. We illustrate how innate immunity in fILD involves a complex interplay of multiple cell subpopulations and molecular pathways. We then review the growing evidence for adaptive immunity in lung fibrosis to provoke a re-examination of its role in clinical fILD. We close with future directions to address key knowledge gaps in fILD pathobiology: (1) longitudinal studies emphasizing early-stage clinical disease, (2) immune mechanisms of acute exacerbations, and (3) next-generation immunophenotyping integrating spatial, genetic, and single-cell approaches. Advances in these areas are essential for the future of precision medicine and immunotherapy in fILD.

Rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomisation study.

BACKGROUND: A usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern of lung injury is a key feature of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is also observed in up to 40% of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). The RA-UIP phenotype could result from either a causal relationship of RA on UIP or vice versa, or from a simple co-occurrence of RA and IPF due to shared demographic, genetic or environmental risk factors. METHODS: We used two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomisation (MR) to test the hypothesis of a causal effect of RA on UIP and of UIP on RA, using variants from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of RA (separately for seropositive (18 019 cases and 991 604 controls) and seronegative (8515 cases and 1 015 471 controls) RA) and of IPF (4125 cases and 20 464 controls) as genetic instruments. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results to violations of the MR assumptions. FINDINGS: IPF showed a significant causal effect on seropositive RA, with developing IPF increasing the risk of seropositive RA (OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.08, p<0.001) which was robust under all models. For the MR in the other direction, seropositive RA showed a significant protective effect on IPF (OR=0.93; 95% CI: 0.87 to 0.99; p=0.032), but the effect was not significant when sensitivity analyses were applied. This was likely because of bias due to exclusion of patients with RA from among the cases in the IPF GWAS, or possibly because our genetic instruments did not fully capture the effect of the complex human leucocyte antigen region, the strongest RA genetic risk factor. INTERPRETATION: Our findings support the hypothesis that RA-UIP may be due to a cause-effect relationship between UIP and RA, rather than due to a coincidental occurrence of IPF in patients with RA. The significant causal effect of IPF on seropositive RA suggests that pathomechanisms involved in the development of UIP may promote RA, and this may help inform future guidelines on screening for ILD in patients with RA.

Meaningful Endpoints for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Clinical Trials: Emphasis on 'Feels, Functions, Survives'. Report of a Collaborative Discussion in a Symposium with Direct Engagement from Representatives of Patients, Investigators, the National Institutes of Health, a Patient Advocacy Organization, and a Regulatory Agency.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) carries significant mortality and unpredictable progression, with limited therapeutic options. Designing trials with patient-meaningful endpoints, enhancing the reliability and interpretability of results, and streamlining the regulatory approval process are of critical importance to advancing clinical care in IPF. Methods: A landmark in-person symposium in June 2023 assembled 43 participants from the US and internationally, including patients with IPF, investigators, and regulatory representatives, to discuss the immediate future of IPF clinical trial endpoints. Patient advocates were central to discussions, which evaluated endpoints according to regulatory standards and the FDA's 'feels, functions, survives' criteria. Results: Three themes emerged: 1) consensus on endpoints mirroring the lived experiences of patients with IPF; 2) consideration of replacing forced vital capacity (FVC) as the primary endpoint, potentially by composite endpoints that include 'feels, functions, survives' measures or FVC as components; 3) support for simplified, user-friendly patient-reported outcomes (PROs) as either components of primary composite endpoints or key secondary endpoints, supplemented by functional tests as secondary endpoints and novel biomarkers as supportive measures (FDA Guidance for Industry (Multiple Endpoints in Clinical Trials) available at: https://www.fda.gov/media/162416/download). Conclusions: This report, detailing the proceedings of this pivotal symposium, suggests a potential turning point in designing future IPF clinical trials more attuned to outcomes meaningful to patients, and documents the collective agreement across multidisciplinary stakeholders on the importance of anchoring IPF trial endpoints on real patient experiences-namely, how they feel, function, and survive. There is considerable optimism that clinical care in IPF will progress through trials focused on patient-centric insights, ultimately guiding transformative treatment strategies to enhance patients' quality of life and survival.

Interactive monitoring dashboards for the COVID-19 pandemic in the world anticipating waves of the disease in Brazil with the use of open data / Painéis de monitoramento interativos da pandemia de COVID-19 no mundo com o uso de dados abertos antecipando ondas da doença no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: Describe the development, implementation, and utilization of dashboards for epidemiological analysis through open data research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The dashboards were designed to analyze COVID-19 related public data from various sources, including official government data and social media, at world level. Data processing and cleaning techniques were used to join datasets. We calculated Spearman correlation coefficient between the COVID-like symptoms data of the University of Maryland and Facebook Health research, called COVID Trends and Impacts Survey (CTIS) and the official data of notified COVID-19 cases by the Brazilian Health Ministry. Results: The dashboards were successful in predicting the onset of new waves of COVID-19 in Brazil. The data analysis revealed a correlation between the CTIS and the official number of cases the country. This article shows the potential of interactive dashboards as a decision-making tool in the context of public health emergencies, as it was used by the official communication of the Rio Grande do Sul state government. Conclusion: The use of dashboards for predicting the spread of COVID-19 in Brazil was a useful tool for decision-making. To anticipate waves of the disease gives time so that these decisions can be potentially more assertive. This drafts the need of more interdisciplinary actions of this nature, with visualization tools on epidemiologic research.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever o desenvolvimento, a implementação e o uso de painéis para a análise epidemiológica de dados abertos durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Os painéis foram criados para analisar dados públicos relacionados á COVID-19 de várias fontes, incluindo dados oficiais dos governos e de redes sociais, a nível global. Técnicas de processamento e limpeza foram utilizadas para aglutinar os bancos de dados. Calculamos o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman entre as curvas de sintomas gripais da pesquisa da Universidade de Maryland em conjunto com o Facebook, chamada COVID Trends and Impacts Survey (CTIS), e a curva de casos notificados pelo Ministério da Saúde no Brasil. Resultados: Os painéis obtiveram sucesso em antecipar a chegada de novas ondas de COVID-19 no Brasil. A análise do dado revelou a correlação entre a pesquisa CTIS e o número oficial de casos no país. O artigo destaca o potencial de painéis interativos como uma ferramenta de tomada de decisão no contexto de emergências de saúde pública, como, por exemplo, no uso destes para a comunicação oficial do governo do Rio Grande do Sul. Conclusão: O uso de painéis para prever o avanço da COVID-19 no Brasil foi uma ferramenta útil para a tomada de decisão. A antecipação de ondas da doença possibilita tempo oportuno para que essas decisões sejam potencialmente mais assertivas. Isso esboça a necessidade de mais ações interdisciplinares dessa natureza, com ferramentas de visualização nas pesquisas epidemiológicas.

Prognostic factors associated with mortality in acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) increases mortality risk, but which factors increase mortality is unknown. We aimed to perform a prognostic review of factors associated with mortality in patients with IPF. STUDY DESIGN: and methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL for studies that reported on the association between any prognostic factor and AE-IPF. We assessed risk of bias using the QUIPS tool. We conduced pairwise meta-analyses using REML heterogeneity estimator, and GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence. RESULTS: We included 35 studies in our analysis. We found that long-term supplemental oxygen at baseline (aHR 2.52 [95 % CI 1.68 to 3.80]; moderate certainty) and a diagnosis of IPF compared to non-IPF ILD (aHR 2.19 [95 % CI 1.22 to 3.92]; moderate certainty) is associated with a higher risk of death in patients with AE-IPF. A diffuse pattern on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) compared to a non-diffuse pattern (aHR 2.61 [95 % CI 1.32 to 2.90]; moderate certainty) is associated with a higher risk of death in patients with AE-IPF. We found that using corticosteroids prior to hospital admission (aHR 2.19 [95 % CI 1.26 to 3.82]; moderate certainty) and those with increased neutrophils (by % increase) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) during the exacerbation is associated with a higher risk of death (aHR 1.02 [1.01 to 1.04]; moderate certainty). INTERPRETATION: Our results have implications for healthcare providers in making treatment decisions and prognosticating the clinical trajectory of patients, for researchers to design future interventions to improve patient trajectory, and for guideline developers in making decisions about resource allocation.

Tomographic pleuropulmonary manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis: a pictorial essay.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory and heterogeneous disease that affects several systems, especially the joints. Among the extra-articular manifestations of RA, pleuropulmonary involvement occurs frequently, with different presentations, potentially in all anatomic thoracic compartments, and may determine high morbidity and mortality. The most common pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with RA include interstitial lung disease (ILD), pleural disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, rheumatoid lung nodules, airway disease (bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis), and lymphadenopathy. Pulmonary hypertension and ILD are the manifestations with the greatest negative impact in prognosis. HRCT of the chest is essential in the evaluation of patients with RA with respiratory symptoms, especially those with higher risk factors for ILD, such as male gender, smoking, older age, high levels of rheumatoid factor, or positive anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody results. Additionally, other etiologies that may determine tomographic pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with RA are infections, neoplasms, and drug-induced lung disease. In these scenarios, clinical presentation is heterogeneous, varying from being asymptomatic to having progressive respiratory failure. Knowledge on the potential etiologies causing tomographic pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with RA coupled with proper clinical reasoning is crucial to diagnose and treat these patients.

Tomographic pleuropulmonary manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis: a pictorial essay / Manifestações pleuropulmonares tomográficas na artrite reumatoide: ensaio pictórico

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory and heterogeneous disease that affects several systems, especially the joints. Among the extra-articular manifestations of RA, pleuropulmonary involvement occurs frequently, with different presentations, potentially in all anatomic thoracic compartments, and may determine high morbidity and mortality. The most common pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with RA include interstitial lung disease (ILD), pleural disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, rheumatoid lung nodules, airway disease (bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis), and lymphadenopathy. Pulmonary hypertension and ILD are the manifestations with the greatest negative impact in prognosis. HRCT of the chest is essential in the evaluation of patients with RA with respiratory symptoms, especially those with higher risk factors for ILD, such as male gender, smoking, older age, high levels of rheumatoid factor, or positive anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody results. Additionally, other etiologies that may determine tomographic pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with RA are infections, neoplasms, and drug-induced lung disease. In these scenarios, clinical presentation is heterogeneous, varying from being asymptomatic to having progressive respiratory failure. Knowledge on the potential etiologies causing tomographic pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with RA coupled with proper clinical reasoning is crucial to diagnose and treat these patients.

RESUMO A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença inflamatória autoimune e heterogênea que afeta vários sistemas, principalmente as articulações. Dentre as manifestações extra-articulares da AR, o acometimento pleuropulmonar ocorre com frequência, com diferentes apresentações, potencialmente em todos os compartimentos anatômicos do tórax e pode determinar alta morbidade e mortalidade. As manifestações pleuropulmonares mais comuns em pacientes com AR incluem doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI), doença pleural, hipertensão arterial pulmonar, nódulos pulmonares reumatoides, doença das vias aéreas (bronquiectasia e bronquiolite) e linfadenopatia. A hipertensão pulmonar e a DPI são as manifestações com maior impacto negativo no prognóstico. A TCAR de tórax é essencial na avaliação de pacientes com AR sintomáticos respiratórios, principalmente aqueles com fatores de risco maiores para DPI, como sexo masculino, tabagismo, idade mais avançada, níveis elevados de fator reumatoide ou anticorpos antipeptídeos citrulinados cíclicos positivos. Além disso, outras etiologias que podem determinar manifestações pleuropulmonares tomográficas em pacientes com AR são infecções, neoplasias e doença pulmonar induzida por drogas. Nesses cenários, a apresentação clínica é heterogênea, variando de ausência de sintomas a insuficiência respiratória progressiva. O conhecimento das possíveis etiologias causadoras de manifestações pleuropulmonares tomográficas em pacientes com AR, aliado a um raciocínio clínico adequado, é fundamental para o diagnóstico e tratamento desses pacientes.

Genetic testing in interstitial lung disease: An international survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Genetic analysis is emerging for interstitial lung diseases (ILDs); however, ILD practices are not yet standardized. We surveyed patients', relatives' and pulmonologists' experiences and needs on genetic testing in ILD to evaluate the current situation and identify future needs. METHODS: A clinical epidemiologist (MT) together with members of the ERS taskforce and representatives of the European Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and related disorders Federation (EU-IPFF) patient organisation developed a survey for patients, relatives and pulmonologists. Online surveys consisted of questions on five main topics: awareness of hereditary ILD, the provision of information, genetic testing, screening of asymptomatic relatives and clinical impact of genetic analysis in ILD. RESULTS: Survey respondents consisted of 458 patients with ILD, 181 patients' relatives and 352 pulmonologists. Most respondents think genetic testing can be useful, particularly for explaining the cause of disease, predicting its course, determining risk for developing disease and the need to test relatives. Informing patients and relatives on genetic analysis is primarily performed by the pulmonologist, but 88% (218) of pulmonologists identify a need for more information and 96% (240) ask for guidelines on genetic testing in ILD. A third of the pulmonologists who would offer genetic testing currently do not offer a genetic test, primarily because they have limited access to genetic tests. Following genetic testing, 72% (171) of pulmonologists may change the diagnostic work-up and 57% (137) may change the therapeutic approach. CONCLUSION: This survey shows that there is wide support for implementation of genetic testing in ILD and a high need for information, guidelines and access to testing among patients, their relatives and pulmonologists.

Sex and gender in interstitial lung diseases.

Sex and gender differences influence key domains of research, lung health, healthcare access and healthcare delivery. In interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), mouse models of pulmonary fibrosis are clearly influenced by sex hormones. Additionally, short telomeres, a biomarker of telomere regulation gene mutations, are impacted by sex, while heritability unexplained by genetic variation may be attributable to gendered environmental factors that drive epigenetic control. Diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, occupational ILDs, connective tissue-associated ILDs and lymphangioleiomyomatosis have different prevalence and prognosis between men and women. These differences arise from a complex interplay between biological sex and sociocultural gender influencing genetics, epigenomic modifiers, hormones, immune function, response to treatment and interaction with healthcare systems. Much work remains to be done to systematically integrate sex and gender analysis into relevant domains of science and clinical care in ILD, from strategic considerations for establishing research priorities to guidelines for establishing best clinical practices. Accounting for sex and gender in ILD is essential to the practice of individualised, patient-centred medicine.

MUC5B promoter variant rs35705950 and rheumatoid arthritis associated interstitial lung disease survival and progression.

BACKGROUND: The major risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), MUC5B rs35705950, was found to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). Whilst the MUC5B rs35705950 T risk allele has been associated with better survival in IPF, its impact on RA-ILD prognosis remains to be determined. Our objective was to explore the influence of MUC5B rs35705950 on survival and progression in RA-ILD. METHODS: Through an international retrospective observational study, patients with RA-ILD were genotyped for the MUC5B rs35705950 variant and consecutive pulmonary function tests (PFTs) findings were collected. Longitudinal data up to a 10-year follow-up were considered and analyzed using mixed regression models. Proportional hazards and joint proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association of baseline and longitudinal variables with lung transplant-free survival. Significant progression of RA-ILD was defined as at least an absolute or relative 10% decline of forced vital capacity at 2 years from baseline. RESULTS: Out of 321 registered patients, 261 were included in the study: 139 women (53.3%), median age at RA-ILD diagnosis 65 years (interquartile range [IQR] 57 to 71), 151 ever smokers (59.2%). Median follow-up was 3.5 years (IQR 1.3 to 6.6). Mortality rate was 32% (95%CI 19 to 42) at 10 years. The MUC5B rs35705950 variant did not impact lung transplant-free survival (HR for the T risk allele carriers=1.26; 95%CI 0.61 to 2.62; P=0.53). Decline in pulmonary function at 2 years was not influenced by MUC5B rs35705950 (OR=0.95; 95%CI 0.44 to 2.05; P=0.89), irrespective of the HRCT pattern. CONCLUSION: In this study, the MUC5B rs35705950 promoter variant did not influence transplant- free survival or decline in pulmonary function in patients with RA-ILD.

A living WHO guideline on drugs to prevent covid-19.

CLINICAL QUESTION: What is the role of drugs in preventing covid-19? WHY DOES THIS MATTER?: There is widespread interest in whether drug interventions can be used for the prevention of covid-19, but there is uncertainty about which drugs, if any, are effective. The first version of this living guideline focuses on the evidence for hydroxychloroquine. Subsequent updates will cover other drugs being investigated for their role in the prevention of covid-19. RECOMMENDATION: The guideline development panel made a strong recommendation against the use of hydroxychloroquine for individuals who do not have covid-19 (high certainty). HOW THIS GUIDELINE WAS CREATED: This living guideline is from the World Health Organization (WHO) and provides up to date covid-19 guidance to inform policy and practice worldwide. Magic Evidence Ecosystem Foundation (MAGIC) provided methodological support. A living systematic review with network analysis informed the recommendations. An international guideline development panel of content experts, clinicians, patients, an ethicist and methodologists produced recommendations following standards for trustworthy guideline development using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. UNDERSTANDING THE NEW RECOMMENDATION: The linked systematic review and network meta-analysis (6 trials and 6059 participants) found that hydroxychloroquine had a small or no effect on mortality and admission to hospital (high certainty evidence). There was a small or no effect on laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (moderate certainty evidence) but probably increased adverse events leading to discontinuation (moderate certainty evidence). The panel judged that almost all people would not consider this drug worthwhile. In addition, the panel decided that contextual factors such as resources, feasibility, acceptability, and equity for countries and healthcare systems were unlikely to alter the recommendation. The panel considers that this drug is no longer a research priority and that resources should rather be oriented to evaluate other more promising drugs to prevent covid-19. UPDATES: This is a living guideline. New recommendations will be published in this article and signposted by update notices to this guideline. READERS NOTE: This is the first version of the living guideline for drugs to prevent covid-19. It complements the WHO living guideline on drugs to treat covid-19. When citing this article, please consider adding the update number and date of access for clarity.

Qualidade de vida e desfechos em longo prazo após hospitalização por COVID-19: Protocolo para um estudo de coorte prospectivo (Coalizão VII) / Quality of life and long-term outcomes after hospitalization for COVID-19: Protocol for a prospective cohort study (Coalition VII)

RESUMO Introdução: Os efeitos provocados pela COVID-19 em longo prazo são desconhecidos. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os fatores associados com a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde e os desfechos em longo prazo em sobreviventes à hospitalização por COVID-19 no Brasil. Métodos: Este será um estudo multicêntrico de coorte prospectivo, aninhado em cinco ensaios clínicos randomizados desenhados para avaliar os efeitos dos tratamentos específicos para COVID-19 em mais de 50 centros no Brasil. Pacientes adultos sobreviventes à hospitalização por infecção por SARS-CoV-2 comprovada ou suspeita serão seguidos por um período de 1 ano, por meio de entrevistas telefônicas estruturadas. O desfecho primário é o escore de utilidade para qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde após 1 ano, avaliado segundo o questionário EuroQol-5D3L. Os desfechos secundários incluirão mortalidade por todas as causas, eventos cardiovasculares graves, reospitalizações, retorno ao trabalho ou estudo, condição funcional física avaliada pelo instrumento Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, dispneia avaliada segundo a escala de dispneia modificada do Medical Research Council, necessidade de suporte ventilatório em longo prazo, sintomas de ansiedade e depressão avaliados segundo a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, sintomas de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático avaliados pela ferramenta Impact of Event Scale-Revised e autoavaliação da condição de saúde, conforme a Escala Visual Analógica do EuroQol-5D3L. Serão utilizadas equações de estimativas generalizada para testar a associação entre cinco conjuntos de variáveis (1 - características demográficas, 2 - condição de saúde pré-morbidade, 3 - características da doença aguda, 4 - terapias específicas para COVID-19 recebidas e 5 - variáveis pós-alta atualizadas) e desfechos. Ética e disseminação: O protocolo do estudo foi aprovado pelos Comitês de Ética em Pesquisa de todas as instituições participantes. Os resultados serão disseminados por meio de conferências e periódicos revisados por pares.

Abstract Introduction: The long-term effects caused by COVID-19 are unknown. The present study aims to assess factors associated with health-related quality of life and long-term outcomes among survivors of hospitalization for COVID-19 in Brazil. Methods: This is a multicenter prospective cohort study nested in five randomized clinical trials designed to assess the effects of specific COVID-19 treatments in over 50 centers in Brazil. Adult survivors of hospitalization due to proven or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection will be followed-up for a period of 1 year by means of structured telephone interviews. The primary outcome is the 1-year utility score of health-related quality of life assessed by the EuroQol-5D3L. Secondary outcomes include all-cause mortality, major cardiovascular events, rehospitalizations, return to work or study, physical functional status assessed by the Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, dyspnea assessed by the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, need for long-term ventilatory support, symptoms of anxiety and depression assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and self-rated health assessed by the EuroQol-5D3L Visual Analog Scale. Generalized estimated equations will be performed to test the association between five sets of variables (1- demographic characteristics, 2- premorbid state of health, 3- characteristics of acute illness, 4- specific COVID-19 treatments received, and 5- time-updated postdischarge variables) and outcomes. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of all participant institutions. The results will be disseminated through conferences and peer-reviewed journals.

Rationale and design of the "Tocilizumab in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19: an open-label multicentre randomized controlled" trial (TOCIBRAS). / Justificativa e delineamento do estudo "Tocilizumabe em pacientes com COVID-19 moderado a grave: estudo aberto, multicêntrico, randomizado, controlado" (TOCIBRAS).

INTRODUCTION: Pro-inflammatory markers play a significant role in the disease severity of patients with COVID-19. Thus, anti-inflammatory therapies are attractive agents for potentially combating the uncontrolled inflammatory cascade in these patients. We designed a trial testing tocilizumab versus standard of care intending to improve the outcomes by inhibiting interleukin-6, an important inflammatory mediator in COVID-19. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This open-label multicentre randomized controlled trial will compare clinical outcomes of tocilizumab plus standard of care versus standard of care alone in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. Two of the following four criteria are required for protocol enrolment: D-dimer > 1,000ng/mL; C reactive protein > 5mg/dL, ferritin > 300mg/dL, and lactate dehydrogenase > upper limit of normal. The primary objective will be to compare the clinical status on day 15, as measured by a 7-point ordinal scale applied in COVID-19 trials worldwide. The primary endpoint will be assessed by an ordinal logistic regression assuming proportional odds ratios adjusted for stratification variables (age and sex). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The TOCIBRAS protocol was approved by local and central (national) ethical committees in Brazil following current national and international guidelines/directives. Each participating center had the study protocol approved by their institutional review boards before initiating protocol enrolment. The data derived from this trial will be published regardless of the results. If proven active, this strategy could alleviate the consequences of the inflammatory response in COVID-19 patients and improve their clinical outcomes.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os marcadores pró-inflamatórios desempenham papel importante na severidade de pacientes com COVID-19. Assim, terapêuticas anti-inflamatórias são agentes interessantes para potencialmente combater a cascata inflamatória descontrolada em tais pacientes. Delineamos um ensaio para testar tocilizumabe em comparação com o tratamento padrão, tendo como objetivo melhorar os desfechos por meio da inibição da interleucina 6, um importante mediador inflamatório na COVID-19. MÉTODOS E ANÁLISES: Este será um estudo aberto multicêntrico, randomizado e controlado, que comparará os desfechos de pacientes tratados com tocilizumabe mais tratamento padrão com o tratamento padrão isoladamente em pacientes com COVID-19 moderada a grave. Como critérios de inclusão, serão exigidos dois dos quatro critérios a seguir: dosagens de dímero D acima de 1.000ng/mL, proteína C-reativa acima de 5mg/dL, ferritina acima de 300mg/dL e desidrogenase lática acima do limite superior do normal. O objetivo primário será comparar a condição clínica no dia 15, conforme avaliação por meio de escala ordinal de 7 pontos aplicada nos estudos de COVID-19 em todo o mundo. O desfecho primário será avaliado por regressão logística ordinal assumindo razões de propensão proporcionais ajustadas pelas variáveis de estratificação (idade e sexo). ÉTICA E DISSEMINAÇÃO: O TOCIBRAS foi aprovado pelos comitês de ética locais e central (nacional) do Brasil em conformidade com as atuais diretrizes e orientações nacionais e internacionais. Cada centro participante obteve aprovação do estudo por parte de seu comitê de ética em pesquisa, antes de iniciar as inscrições no protocolo. Os dados derivados deste ensaio serão publicados independentemente de seus resultados. Se tiver sua efetividade comprovada, esta estratégia terapêutica poderá aliviar as consequências da resposta inflamatória na COVID-19 e melhorar os resultados clínicos.

Justificativa e delineamento do estudo Tocilizumabe em pacientes com COVID-19 moderado a grave: estudo aberto, multicêntrico, randomizado, controlado (TOCIBRAS) / Rationale and design of the Tocilizumab in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19: an open-label multicentre randomized controlled trial (TOCIBRAS)

RESUMO Introdução: Os marcadores pró-inflamatórios desempenham papel importante na severidade de pacientes com COVID-19. Assim, terapêuticas anti-inflamatórias são agentes interessantes para potencialmente combater a cascata inflamatória descontrolada em tais pacientes. Delineamos um ensaio para testar tocilizumabe em comparação com o tratamento padrão, tendo como objetivo melhorar os desfechos por meio da inibição da interleucina 6, um importante mediador inflamatório na COVID-19. Métodos e análises: Este será um estudo aberto multicêntrico, randomizado e controlado, que comparará os desfechos de pacientes tratados com tocilizumabe mais tratamento padrão com o tratamento padrão isoladamente em pacientes com COVID-19 moderada a grave. Como critérios de inclusão, serão exigidos dois dos quatro critérios a seguir: dosagens de dímero D acima de 1.000ng/mL, proteína C-reativa acima de 5mg/dL, ferritina acima de 300mg/dL e desidrogenase lática acima do limite superior do normal. O objetivo primário será comparar a condição clínica no dia 15, conforme avaliação por meio de escala ordinal de 7 pontos aplicada nos estudos de COVID-19 em todo o mundo. O desfecho primário será avaliado por regressão logística ordinal assumindo razões de propensão proporcionais ajustadas pelas variáveis de estratificação (idade e sexo). Ética e disseminação: O TOCIBRAS foi aprovado pelos comitês de ética locais e central (nacional) do Brasil em conformidade com as atuais diretrizes e orientações nacionais e internacionais. Cada centro participante obteve aprovação do estudo por parte de seu comitê de ética em pesquisa, antes de iniciar as inscrições no protocolo. Os dados derivados deste ensaio serão publicados independentemente de seus resultados. Se tiver sua efetividade comprovada, esta estratégia terapêutica poderá aliviar as consequências da resposta inflamatória na COVID-19 e melhorar os resultados clínicos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pro-inflammatory markers play a significant role in the disease severity of patients with COVID-19. Thus, anti-inflammatory therapies are attractive agents for potentially combating the uncontrolled inflammatory cascade in these patients. We designed a trial testing tocilizumab versus standard of care intending to improve the outcomes by inhibiting interleukin-6, an important inflammatory mediator in COVID-19. Methods and analysis: This open-label multicentre randomized controlled trial will compare clinical outcomes of tocilizumab plus standard of care versus standard of care alone in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. Two of the following four criteria are required for protocol enrolment: D-dimer > 1,000ng/mL; C reactive protein > 5mg/dL, ferritin > 300mg/dL, and lactate dehydrogenase > upper limit of normal. The primary objective will be to compare the clinical status on day 15, as measured by a 7-point ordinal scale applied in COVID-19 trials worldwide. The primary endpoint will be assessed by an ordinal logistic regression assuming proportional odds ratios adjusted for stratification variables (age and sex). Ethics and dissemination: The TOCIBRAS protocol was approved by local and central (national) ethical committees in Brazil following current national and international guidelines/directives. Each participating center had the study protocol approved by their institutional review boards before initiating protocol enrolment. The data derived from this trial will be published regardless of the results. If proven active, this strategy could alleviate the consequences of the inflammatory response in COVID-19 patients and improve their clinical outcomes.

Remdesivir for severe covid-19: a clinical practice guideline.

CLINICAL QUESTION: What is the role of remdesivir in the treatment of severe covid-19? This guideline was triggered by the ACTT-1 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine on 22 May 2020. CURRENT PRACTICE: Remdesivir has received worldwide attention as a potentially effective treatment for severe covid-19. After rapid market approval in the US, remdesivir is already being used in clinical practice. RECOMMENDATIONS: The guideline panel makes a weak recommendation for the use of remdesivir in severe covid-19 while recommending continuation of active enrolment of patients into ongoing randomised controlled trials examining remdesivir. HOW THIS GUIDELINE WAS CREATED: An international panel of patients, clinicians, and methodologists produced these recommendations in adherence with standards for trustworthy guidelines using the GRADE approach. The recommendations are based on a linked systematic review and network meta-analysis. The panel considered an individual patient perspective and allowed contextual factors (such as resources) to be taken into account for countries and healthcare systems. THE EVIDENCE: The linked systematic review (published 31 Jul 2020) identified two randomised trials with 1300 participants, showing low certainty evidence that remdesivir may be effective in reducing time to clinical improvement and may decrease mortality in patients with severe covid-19. Remdesivir probably has no important effect on need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Remdesivir may have little or no effect on hospital length of stay. UNDERSTANDING THE RECOMMENDATION: Most patients with severe covid-19 would likely choose treatment with remdesivir given the potential reduction in time to clinical improvement. However, given the low certainty evidence for critical outcomes and the fact that different perspectives, values, and preferences may alter decisions regarding remdesivir, the panel issued a weak recommendation with strong support for continued recruitment in randomised trials.

Brazilian guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Official document of the Brazilian Thoracic Association based on the GRADE methodology.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a form of chronic interstitial lung disease of unknown cause, which predominantly affects elderly men who are current or former smokers. Even though it is an uncommon disease, it is of great importance because of its severity and poor prognosis. In recent decades, several pharmacological treatment modalities have been investigated for the treatment of this disease, and the classic concepts have therefore been revised. The purpose of these guidelines was to define evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of pharmacological agents in the treatment of IPF in Brazil. We sought to provide guidance on the practical issues faced by clinicians in their daily lives. Patients of interest, Intervention to be studied, Comparison of intervention and Outcome of interest (PICO)-style questions were formulated to address aspects related to the use of corticosteroids, N-acetylcysteine, gastroesophageal reflux medications, endothelin-receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, pirfenidone, and nintedanib. To formulate the PICO questions, a group of Brazilian specialists working in the area was assembled and an extensive review of the literature on the subject was carried out. Previously published systematic reviews with meta-analyses were analyzed for the strength of the compiled evidence, and, on that basis, recommendations were developed by employing the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. The authors believe that the present document represents an important advance to be incorporated in the approach to patients with IPF, aiming mainly to improve its management, and can become an auxiliary tool for defining public policies related to IPF.

Brazilian guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Official document of the Brazilian Thoracic Association based on the GRADE methodology / Diretrizes brasileiras para o tratamento farmacológico da fibrose pulmonar idiopática. Documento oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia baseado na metodologia GRADE

ABSTRACT Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a form of chronic interstitial lung disease of unknown cause, which predominantly affects elderly men who are current or former smokers. Even though it is an uncommon disease, it is of great importance because of its severity and poor prognosis. In recent decades, several pharmacological treatment modalities have been investigated for the treatment of this disease, and the classic concepts have therefore been revised. The purpose of these guidelines was to define evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of pharmacological agents in the treatment of IPF in Brazil. We sought to provide guidance on the practical issues faced by clinicians in their daily lives. Patients of interest, Intervention to be studied, Comparison of intervention and Outcome of interest (PICO)-style questions were formulated to address aspects related to the use of corticosteroids, N-acetylcysteine, gastroesophageal reflux medications, endothelin-receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, pirfenidone, and nintedanib. To formulate the PICO questions, a group of Brazilian specialists working in the area was assembled and an extensive review of the literature on the subject was carried out. Previously published systematic reviews with meta-analyses were analyzed for the strength of the compiled evidence, and, on that basis, recommendations were developed by employing the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. The authors believe that the present document represents an important advance to be incorporated in the approach to patients with IPF, aiming mainly to improve its management, and can become an auxiliary tool for defining public policies related to IPF.

RESUMO A fibrose pulmonar idiopática (FPI) é uma forma de pneumopatia intersticial crônica fibrosante de causa desconhecida, que acomete preferencialmente homens idosos, com história atual ou pregressa de tabagismo. Mesmo sendo uma doença incomum, ela assume grande importância devido a sua gravidade e prognóstico reservado. Nas últimas décadas, diversas modalidades terapêuticas farmacológicas foram investigadas para o tratamento dessa doença, de tal modo que conceitos clássicos vêm sendo revisados. O objetivo destas diretrizes foi definir recomendações brasileiras baseadas em evidências em relação ao emprego de agentes farmacológicos no tratamento da FPI. Procurou-se fornecer orientações a questões de ordem prática, enfrentadas pelos clínicos no seu cotidiano. As perguntas PICO (acrônimo baseado em perguntas referentes aos Pacientes de interesse, Intervenção a ser estudada, Comparação da intervenção e Outcome [desfecho] de interesse) abordaram aspectos relativos ao uso de corticosteroides, N-acetilcisteína, tratamento medicamentoso do refluxo gastroesofágico, inibidores dos receptores da endotelina, inibidores da fosfodiesterase-5, pirfenidona e nintedanibe. Para a formulação das perguntas PICO, um grupo de especialistas brasileiros atuantes na área foi reunido, sendo realizada uma extensa revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema. As revisões sistemáticas com meta-análises previamente publicadas foram analisadas quanto à força das evidências compiladas e, a partir daí, foram concebidas recomendações seguindo a metodologia Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Os autores acreditam que o presente documento represente um importante avanço a ser incorporado na abordagem de pacientes com FPI, objetivando principalmente favorecer seu manejo, e pode se tornar uma ferramenta auxiliar na definição de políticas públicas relacionadas à FPI.