Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Revisiting matrix metalloproteinase 12: its role in pathophysiology of asthma and related pulmonary diseases
Purpose of review Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of over 20 zinc-dependent proteases with different biological and pathological activities, and many have been implicated in several diseases. Although nonselective MMP inhibitors are known to induce serious side-effects, targeting individual MMPs may offer a safer therapeutic potential for several diseases. Hence, we provide a concise overview on MMP-12, given its association with pulmonary diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and other progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), which may also ...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: ASTHMA: Edited by Zuzana Diamant and Nicola A. Hanania Source Type: research

Asthma and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2019: current evidence and knowledge gaps
Purpose of review Although respiratory viruses are common triggers of asthma exacerbation, it is unknown whether this also applies to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Indeed, patients with asthma and allergy appear underrepresented in large reports of COVID-19 cases worldwide. In this review, we evaluate existing literature on this topic and potential underlying mechanisms for any interrelationship between asthma and COVID-19. Recent findings Data from several preclinical and clinical reports suggest a lower susceptibility for COVID-19 in patients with underlying type 2 airway inflammation including asthma that may be...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: ASTHMA: Edited by Zuzana Diamant and Nicola A. Hanania Source Type: research

Telemedicine and adherence monitoring in children with asthma
Purpose of review Telemedicine, defined as synchronous video visits between a provider and a child with asthma, often takes place in the school setting. This review examines the new electronic sensors for adherence monitoring and studies that used telemedicine in the school setting to improve asthma outcomes. Recent findings School-based telemedicine provides an important service to families of school-aged children who have difficulty due to time and distance in planning and keeping in-person appointments with primary or specialty providers. Significant improvements in objective measures of asthma control are in...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: ASTHMA: Edited by Zuzana Diamant and Nicola A. Hanania Source Type: research

Diabetes, insulin resistance, and asthma: a review of potential links
Purpose of review Disorders of glucose metabolism, including insulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes, have been identified as risk factors for worsened asthma. This review summarizes emerging evidence for their role as modifiable risk factors in asthma, including the potential benefit of diabetes medications on asthma outcomes. Recent findings Experimental studies show that hyperinsulinemia associated with insulin resistance is associated with airway smooth muscle proliferation and promotes contractility. Epidemiologic studies have identified a higher prevalence of glycemic dysfunction among those with sev...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: ASTHMA: Edited by Zuzana Diamant and Nicola A. Hanania Source Type: research

Managing chronic rhinosinusitis in severe asthma
Purpose of review Over half of all patients with severe asthma have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Although distinct and specialized in function and form, the upper and lower airways share similar and inter-related pathophysiologic mechanisms. The severity of CRS particularly in patients with nasal polyps can correlate with that of asthma and vice versa. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the relationship between these conditions and summarize key elements in the management of these patients. Recent findings Several advances have been made in the evaluation and treatment of patients with CRS and asthma. F...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: ASTHMA: Edited by Zuzana Diamant and Nicola A. Hanania Source Type: research

Allergen bronchoprovocation test: an important research tool supporting precision medicine
Purpose of review Allergen bronchoprovocation test (ABT) has been used to study asthma pathophysiology and as a disease-modelling tool to assess the properties and efficacy of new asthma drugs. In view of the complexity and heterogeneity of asthma, which has driven the definition of several phenotypes and endotypes, we aim to discuss the role of ABT in the era of precision medicine and provide guidance for clinicians how to interpret and use available data to understand the implications for the benefits of asthma treatment. Recent findings In this review, we summarize background knowledge and applications of ABT...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: ASTHMA: Edited by Zuzana Diamant and Nicola A. Hanania Source Type: research

Novel approaches in occupational asthma diagnosis and management
Purpose of review To describe the recent findings of the last 2 years on the epidemiology and phenotypes of occupational asthma, as well as new developments in its diagnosis and management. Recent findings Data from nine longitudinal studies showed a population attributable fraction for the occupational contribution to incident asthma of 16%. The main phenotypes of occupational asthma are: occupational asthma caused by high-molecular-weight (HMW) or low-molecular-weight (LMW) agents, irritant-induced asthma and occupational asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap. Among the variety of causative agen...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: ASTHMA: Edited by Zuzana Diamant and Nicola A. Hanania Source Type: research

The impact of fungal allergic sensitization on asthma
Purpose of review Fungal sensitization may contribute to the development of asthma as well as asthma severity. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing knowledge about the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of fungal sensitization in asthma and highlight unmet needs and target areas for future investigation. Recent findings Fungal sensitization may occur by a normal or aberrant immune response. Allergic sensitization to fungi is mediated by the adaptive immune response driven by TH2 cells and the innate immune response driven by the innate lymphoid cells group 2. Diagnosis of fungal sensitizat...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: ASTHMA: Edited by Zuzana Diamant and Nicola A. Hanania Source Type: research

Editorial: Dealing with asthma during the turbulent times of coronavirus disease-2019
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine)
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: ASTHMA: Edited by Zuzana Diamant and Nicola A. Hanania Source Type: research

Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine)
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - December 3, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research

Changing landscape: psychological care in the era of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators
Purpose of review The current review provides an overview of key psychological issues and challenges for the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator era of care. It discusses research from diagnosis and beyond, to patient-team communication with a particular focus on medical trials, adherence and living with CFTR modulators. Recent findings The impact of the diagnosis on parents is immense and the complexity of treatment now and in the future, are a challenge for both parents and teams. Communicating digitally is starting to become daily practice for many in CF care, with coronavirus ...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - October 8, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: CYSTIC FIBROSIS: Edited by Peter J. Barry and Barry J. Plant Source Type: research

Sexual and reproductive health in cystic fibrosis
Purpose of review With improving life expectancy and quality of life, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) has become an increasingly important aspect of patient-centered cystic fibrosis care. This review aims to describe advances in cystic fibrosis-related SRH and highlight optimal practices. Recent findings Recent publications suggest that people with cystic fibrosis follow a similar trajectory of sexual development and activity as their noncystic fibrosis peers, although contraception use is lower. Although fertility is reduced in patients with cystic fibrosis, improved survival and assisted reproductive technologi...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - October 8, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: CYSTIC FIBROSIS: Edited by Peter J. Barry and Barry J. Plant Source Type: research

Treatment of pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis
Purpose of review This review will discuss the challenges of defining a pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis and the key pathogens, which contribute. It will discuss the treatment options currently available and the importance of preventing pulmonary exacerbations. Recent findings The basis for treatment of pulmonary exacerbations remains unchanged over the past 15 years and whilst there have been trials exploring alternative antibiotics, there has been little change. However, there are ongoing studies that are expected to establish a platform for identifying best practices. Chronic cystic fibrosis therapies hav...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - October 8, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: CYSTIC FIBROSIS: Edited by Peter J. Barry and Barry J. Plant Source Type: research

Monitoring early stage lung disease in cystic fibrosis
Purpose of review Early stage lung disease has long been synonymous with infancy and childhood. As diagnosis happens earlier and conventional management improves, we are seeing larger proportions of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) in adolescence and even adulthood with well preserved lung health. The availability of highly effective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulator drugs for a large proportion of the CF population will impact even further. Transitioning into adult care with ‘normal’ lung function will become more common. However, it is crucial that we are not blasé about this phase, whi...
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - October 8, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: CYSTIC FIBROSIS: Edited by Peter J. Barry and Barry J. Plant Source Type: research

Editorial: The changing landscape of cystic fibrosis: new therapies, challenges and a global pandemic
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine)
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - October 8, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: CYSTIC FIBROSIS: Edited by Peter J. Barry and Barry J. Plant Source Type: research