Pulmonology: What You May Have Missed in 2023.

The field of pulmonology saw significant advances in 2023. The publications highlighted in this article address advances and changes in practice related to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, pleural disorders, and sleep-disordered breathing. One article reviews data examining the efficacy of vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus, a respiratory viral illness that has had devastating effects globally. Four studies evaluate the role of various therapies in COPD, including dupilumab, ensifentrine, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, and lung volume reduction versus endobronchial valves. Another study explores the effect on vascular events of positive-pressure ventilation in patients with sleep-disordered breathing and recent stroke. The use of combination therapy with rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil on progression-free survival in patients with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia is the topic of another study. We also highlight an update of clinical recommendations for the evaluation of patients with pleural disorders and a systematic review analyzing the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids as a supplement to dual therapy for COPD.

Corticosteroids in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Corticosteroids are now recommended for patients with severe COVID-19 including those with COVID-related ARDS. This has generated renewed interest regarding whether corticosteroids should be used in non-COVID ARDS as well. The objective of this study was to summarize all RCTs examining the use of corticosteroids in ARDS. METHODS: The protocol of this study was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020200659). We searched online databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CDC library of COVID research, CINAHL, and COCHRANE. We included RCTs that compared the effect of corticosteroids to placebo or usual care in adult patients with ARDS, including patients with COVID-19. Three reviewers abstracted data independently and in duplicate using a pre-specified standardized form. We assessed individual study risk of bias using the revised Cochrane ROB-2 tool and rated certainty in outcomes using GRADE methodology. We pooled data using a random effects model. The main outcome for this review was 28-day-mortality. RESULTS: We included 18 RCTs enrolling 2826 patients. The use of corticosteroids probably reduced mortality in patients with ARDS of any etiology (2740 patients in 16 trials, RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72-0.95, ARR 8.0%, 95% CI 2.2-12.5%, moderate certainty). Patients who received a longer course of corticosteroids (over 7 days) had higher rates of survival compared to a shorter course. CONCLUSION: The use of corticosteroids probably reduces mortality in patients with ARDS. This effect was consistent between patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS, corticosteroid types, and dosage.

Maintenance therapy in transplant ineligible adults with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The role of maintenance therapy in transplant ineligible multiple myeloma (MM) patients following a period of fixed duration induction therapy remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining maintenance therapy compared to observation. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search including MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane database up to February 28, 2020, for RCTs comparing maintenance therapy to observation in newly diagnosed transplant ineligible MM patients. Two authors independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We performed meta-analyses using a random-effects model and assessed certainty using GRADE methodology. MAIN RESULTS: We included five RCTs with a total of 1139 patients. Patients receiving maintenance therapy had improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared to observation (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38 to 0.62, high certainty); however, there was no difference in overall survival (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.76-1.2, moderate certainty). Adverse events were higher in the maintenance group compared to observation (very low to moderate certainty). CONCLUSION: Maintenance therapy increases PFS in transplant ineligible MM patients following a fixed period of induction therapy; however, this must be weighed against the increased risk of adverse events.