Reply: Asthma and cardiovascular disease: the strength of triangulation
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In their correspondence, M.C. Tattersall and co-workers noted that our study reports contrasting findings to some earlier studies, including their own. They have raised several methodological points regarding our triangulation approach which leveraged two wholly different methods (traditional observational study and Mendelian randomisation) and multiple entirely different datasets [1]. We have discussed each of their concerns here. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 25, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Bloom, C. I. Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
Asthma and cardiovascular disease: embracing disease heterogeneity is required
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We read with interest the recent original research investigation by Valencia-Hernández et al. [1]. This observational study used two approaches to investigate the association of asthma and coronary heart disease (CHD): medical records and Mendelian randomisation (MR). Their results differ compared to many other prior studies investigating the association of asthma and CHD [2]. We applaud the authors for the thoroughness of the investigation; however, we have identified key methodological considerations in this study which may account for differences in the conclusions, compared to prior studies. (Source: Eur...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 25, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tattersall, M. C., Gangnon, R. E., Jarjour, N. N. Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
B-cells in pulmonary arterial hypertension: friend, foe or bystander?
There is an unmet need for new therapeutic strategies that target alternative pathways to improve the prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). As immunity has been involved in the development and progression of vascular lesions in PAH, we review the potential contribution of B-cells in its pathogenesis and evaluate the relevance of B-cell-targeted therapies. Circulating B-cell homeostasis is altered in PAH patients, with total B-cell lymphopenia, abnormal subset distribution (expansion of naïve and antibody-secreting cells, reduction of memory B-cells) and chronic activation. B-cells are re...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 25, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Sanges, S., Tian, W., Dubucquoi, S., Chang, J. L., Collet, A., Launay, D., Nicolls, M. R. Tags: Pulmonary vascular disease Review Source Type: research
Early life exposure to pollens and increased risks of childhood asthma: a prospective cohort study in Ontario children
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Asthma is a disease characterised by wheeze, cough and shortness of breath, and constitutes the most prevalent chronic disease among children [1]. Various phenotypes have been specifically identified in the paediatric population, and include early transient wheeze, current wheeze/asthma, and mild or moderate asthma [2]. Lifestyle behaviours, genetics, maternal and paternal factors, and environment exposures have been identified as risk factors in the multifactorial aetiology of childhood asthma [3]. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Stanescu, C., Talarico, R., Weichenthal, S., Villeneuve, P. J., Smargiassi, A., Stieb, D. M., To, T., Hebbern, C., Crighton, E., Lavigne, E. Tags: Research Letters Source Type: research
ERJ Podcast April 2024: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
As part of the April issue, the European Respiratory Journal presents the latest in its series of podcasts. Chief Editor James Chalmers interviews Ritesh Agarwal (Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India) about the revised International Society for Human and Animal Mycology ABPA working group clinical practice guidelines for diagnosing, classifying and treating allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis/mycoses. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Podcast Source Type: research
"Therapeutic improvement of CFTR function and reversibility of bronchiectasis in cystic fibrosis." M.O. Wielpütz and M.A. Mall. Eur Respir J 2024; 63: 2400234.
(Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Author corrections Source Type: research
Smoking cessation at lung cancer screening: joining (life-saving) dots
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We now know that lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography saves lives. We have known for more than 60 years that smoking cessation (SC) saves lives. Can we save even more lives by combining these two effective interventions? The work by Murray et al. [1], in this issue of the European Respiratory Journal, is a big stride to show that we can. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Lewis, K. E. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
Precision medicine in cystic fibrosis: predictive role of forskolin-induced swelling assay
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People with cystic fibrosis (CF) carrying at least one copy of the F508del allele can benefit from a small molecule therapy referred to as cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators (CFTRm). The triple CFTRm combination elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) has been shown to markedly improve clinical outcomes such as the percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV1) and body mass index (BMI) [1]; however, granular data from the same clinical trial also showed that the treatment response to CFTRm varied among people with CF, even among those carrying the sa...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Furstova, E., Drevinek, P., Novotna, S., Libik, M., Benesova, K., Borek-Dohalska, L., Sakmarova, K., Modrak, M., Macek, M., Dousova, T. Tags: Research Letters Source Type: research
Sputum colour as a simplified effective biomarker for clinical assessment of bronchiectasis
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Bronchiectasis is a structural lung disease characterised by chronic airway inflammation due to various aetiologies, with a vicious circle of recurrent infections, chronic inflammation, impaired mucociliary clearance and structural damage that collectively result in clinical progression [1]. The most prominent clinical manifestations of bronchiectasis are chronic cough and mucopurulent sputum production, the consequence of airway mucus hypersecretion and heightened inflammatory responses which could predispose to irreversible airway destruction [2, 3]. Amid this vicious circle of bronchiectasis pathogenesis is chro...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tang, R.-d., Yue, J.-q., Guan, W.-j. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
Impact of obesity progression or regression on the longitudinal assessment of fibrosing interstitial lung disease
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Abnormalities in lung mechanics (restriction) and pulmonary gas exchange (hypoxaemia) may jointly conspire to elicit exertional dyspnoea and decrease exercise tolerance in patients with fibrosing interstitial lung disease (f-ILD) [1]. Obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg·m–2), a prevalent comorbidity of f-ILD [2], may negatively impact on "static" (e.g. total lung capacity (TLC)) and dynamic (forced vital capacity (FVC)) lung volumes relevant to dyspnoea genesis [3]. Arterial oxygenation decreases as obesity worsens, particularly on exertion when poorly ventilated areas are perfused with less ...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Alqurashi, H., Marillier, M., Neder-Serafini, I., Bernard, A.-C., Moran-Mendoza, O., Neder, J. A. Tags: Research Letters Source Type: research
Uptake and 4-week quit rates from an opt-out co-located smoking cessation service delivered alongside community-based low-dose computed tomography screening within the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial
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Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer has been shown to reduce lung cancer-specific mortality in two large, randomised trials [1, 2], and implementation of screening is currently underway in many high- and middle-income countries [3]. Of those people responding to an invitation for lung cancer screening and subsequently eligible, between 30% and 50% are currently smoking [4, 5]. Evidence of the impact of screening alone on smoking cessation rates in randomised trials is mixed. Three studies have compared quit rates in participants randomised to LDCT screening versus a non-screened control gr...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Murray, R. L., Alexandris, P., Baldwin, D., Brain, K., Britton, J., Crosbie, P. A. J., Gabe, R., Lewis, S., Parrott, S., Quaife, S. L., Tam, H. Z., Wu, Q., Beeken, R., Copeland, H., Eckert, C., Hancock, N., Lindop, J., McCutchan, G., Marshall, C., Neal, R Tags: COPD and smoking Original Articles: Smoking cessation Source Type: research
Airway remodelling in asthma and the epithelium: on the edge of a new era
Asthma is a chronic, heterogeneous disease of the airways, often characterised by structural changes known collectively as airway remodelling. In response to environmental insults, including pathogens, allergens and pollutants, the epithelium can initiate remodelling via an inflammatory cascade involving a variety of mediators that have downstream effects on both structural and immune cells. These mediators include the epithelial cytokines thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin (IL)-33 and IL-25, which facilitate airway remodelling through cross-talk between epithelial cells and fibroblasts, and between mast cells and a...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Varricchi, G., Brightling, C. E., Grainge, C., Lambrecht, B. N., Chanez, P. Tags: Asthma and allergy Reviews Source Type: research
Objective sputum colour assessment and clinical outcomes in bronchiectasis: data from the European Bronchiectasis Registry (EMBARC)
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Bronchiectasis is a chronic inflammatory disease [1, 2]. Although it is recognised that bronchiectasis is composed of multiple phenotypes and endotypes, inflammation has classically been regarded as neutrophilic and patients with higher levels of neutrophilic inflammation have been shown to have worse clinical outcomes [3–5]. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Aliberti, S., Ringshausen, F. C., Dhar, R., Haworth, C. S., Loebinger, M. R., Dimakou, K., Crichton, M. L., De Soyza, A., Vendrell, M., Burgel, P.-R., McDonnell, M., Skrgat, S., Maiz Carro, L., de Roux, A., Sibila, O., Bossios, A., van der Eerden, M., Kau Tags: CF and non-CF bronchiectasis Original Articles: Bronchiectasis Source Type: research
"Efficacy and safety of ralinepag, a novel oral IP agonist, in PAH patients on mono or dual background therapy: results from a phase 2 randomised, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial." F. Torres, H. Farber, A. Ristic, et al. Eur Respir J 2019; 54: 1901030.
(Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Author corrections Source Type: research
Response from the authors: As-needed ICS/formoterol or as-needed SABA in mild asthma?
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We thank J.A. Krishnan and R. Buhl for their commentary on our document "European Respiratory Society short guidelines for the use of as-needed ICS/formoterol in mild asthma", which was published in this journal in October 2023 [1]. We appreciate their willingness in building trust in the guideline development process. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 4, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Papi, A., Ferreira, D. S., Tonia, T., Schleich, F. Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
