Showing papers by "Vincent Cottin published in 2016"

Official American Thoracic Society/Japanese Respiratory Society Clinical Practice Guidelines: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Diagnosis and Management

Abstract: Background: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cystic lung disease that primarily affects women. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of LAM.Methods: Systematic reviews were performed to summarize evidence pertinent to our questions. The evidence was summarized and discussed by a multidisciplinary panel. Evidence-based recommendations were then formulated, written, and graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.Results: After considering the panel’s confidence in the estimated effects, the balance of desirable (i.e., benefits) and undesirable (i.e., harms and burdens) consequences of treatment, patient values and preferences, cost, and feasibility, recommendations were formulated for or against specific interventions. These included recommendations for sirolimus treatment and vascular endothelial growth factor D testing and recommendations against doxycycline and hormonal therapy.Conclusions: ...

Prevalence and characteristics of TERT and TERC mutations in suspected genetic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract: Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) or telomerase RNA (TERC) gene mutation is a major monogenic cause of pulmonary fibrosis. Sequencing of TERT/TERC genes is proposed to patients with familial pulmonary fibrosis. Little is known about the possible predictors of this mutation and its impact on prognosis. We retrospectively analysed all the genetic diagnoses made between 2007-2014 in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. We evaluated the prevalence of TERT/TERC disease-Associated variant (DAV), factors associated with a DAV, and the impact of the DAV on survival. 237 patients with pulmonary fibrosis (153 with familial pulmonary fibrosis, 84 with telomere syndrome features without familial pulmonary fibrosis) were tested for TERT/TERC DAV. DAV was diagnosed in 40 patients (16.8%), including five with non-idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Prevalence of TERT/TERC DAV did not significantly differ between patients with familial pulmonary fibrosis or with only telomere syndrome features (18.2% versus 16.4%). Young age, red blood cell macrocytosis, and low platelet count were associated with the presence of DAV; the probability of DAV was increased for patients 40-60 years. Transplant-free survival was lower with than without TERT/TERC DAV (4.2 versus 7.2 years; p=0.046). TERT/TERC DAV were associated with specific clinical and biological features and reduced transplantfree survival. ©ERS 2016.

Initial dual oral combination therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract: Treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been underpinned by single-agent therapy to which concomitant drugs are added sequentially when pre-defined treatment goals are not met. This retrospective analysis of real-world clinical data in 97 patients with newly diagnosed PAH (86% in New York Heart Association functional class III−IV) explored initial dual oral combination treatment with bosentan plus sildenafil (n=61), bosentan plus tadalafil (n=17), ambrisentan plus tadalafil (n=11) or ambrisentan plus sildenafil (n=8). All regimens were associated with significant improvements in functional class, exercise capacity, dyspnoea and haemodynamic indices after 4 months of therapy. Over a median follow-up period of 30 months, 75 (82%) patients were still alive, 53 (71%) of whom received only dual oral combination therapy. Overall survival rates were 97%, 94% and 83% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively, and 96%, 94% and 84%, respectively, for the patients with idiopathic PAH, heritable PAH and anorexigen-induced PAH. Expected survival rates calculated from the French equation for the latter were 86%, 75% and 66% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. Initial combination of oral PAH-targeted medications may offer clinical benefits, especially in PAH patients with severe haemodynamic impairment.

Respiratory manifestations of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss)

Abstract: The respiratory manifestations of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) have not been studied in detail. In this retrospective multicentre study, EGPA was defined by asthma, eosinophilia and at least one new onset extra-bronchopulmonary organ manifestation of disease. The study population included 157 patients (mean±SD age 49.4±14.1 years), with a mean±SD blood eosinophil count of 7.4±6.4×109 L-1 at diagnosis. There was a mean±SD of 11.8±18.2 years from the onset of asthma to the diagnosis of EGPA, of 1.4±8.4 years from the first onset of peripheral eosinophilia to the diagnosis of EGPA, and of 7.4±6.4 years from EGPA diagnosis to the final visit. Despite inhaled and oral corticosteroid treatment, the severity of asthma increased 3-6 months before the onset of the systemic manifestations. Asthma was severe in 57%, 48%, and 56% of patients at diagnosis, at 3 years, and at the final visit, respectively. Persistent airflow obstruction was present in 38%, 30%, and 46% at diagnosis, at 3 years, and at the final visit, respectively. In EGPA, asthma is severe, antedates systemic manifestations by a mean of 12 years, and progresses to long-term persistent airflow obstruction despite corticosteroids in a large proportion of patients, which affects long-term management and morbidity. Copyright © 2016 ERS.

Anti‐IgE Monoclonal Antibody (Omalizumab) in Refractory and Relapsing Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Churg‐Strauss): Data on Seventeen Patients

Abstract: Objective To describe the efficacy and safety of omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, in patients with refractory and/or relapsing eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss) (EGPA). Methods We conducted a nationwide retrospective study including EGPA patients who received omalizumab. Response was defined as the absence of asthma and/or sinonasal exacerbations with a prednisone dosage of ≤7.5 mg/day (complete response) or >7.5 mg/day (partial response). Results Seventeen patients (median age 45 years) received omalizumab for severe steroid-dependent asthma (88%) and/or sinonasal involvement (18%). After a median follow-up of 22 months, 6 patients (35%) achieved a complete response, 5 patients (30%) achieved a partial response, and 6 patients (35%) had no improvement. The median Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score decreased from 2.5 at baseline to 0.5 at 12 months. The median number of exacerbations per month decreased from 1 at baseline to 0 at 12 months, and the median forced expiratory volume in 1 second increased from 63% of the percent predicted at baseline to 85% of the percent predicted at 12 months. The median prednisone dosage decreased from 16 mg/day at baseline to 11 mg/day at 6 months and 9 mg/day at 12 months. Omalizumab was discontinued in 8 patients (47%) during follow-up, because of remission (12.5%), adverse event despite disease remission (12.5%), refractory disease (25%), or relapse (50%). Relapses included retrobulbar optic neuritis attributable to EGPA in 2 patients and severe asthma flare in 2 others. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that omalizumab may have a corticosteroid-sparing effect in EGPA patients with asthmatic and/or sinonasal manifestations, but reducing the corticosteroid dose may also increase the risk of severe EGPA flares, which raises the question of the safety of omalizumab in patients with EGPA.

Cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract: Many patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) complain of chronic refractory cough. Chronic cough is a distressing and disabling symptom with a major impact on quality of life. During recent years, progress has been made in gaining insight into the pathogenesis of cough in IPF, which is most probably “multifactorial” and influenced by mechanical, biochemical and neurosensory changes, with an important role for comorbidities as well. Clinical trials of cough treatment in IPF are emerging, and cough is increasingly included as a secondary end-point in trials assessing new compounds for IPF. It is important that such studies include adequate end-points to assess cough both objectively and subjectively. This article summarises the latest insights into chronic cough in IPF. It describes the different theories regarding the pathophysiology of cough, reviews the different methods to assess cough and deals with recent and future developments in the treatment of cough in IPF.

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia syndrome.

Abstract: The term diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) may be used to describe a clinico-pathological syndrome, as well as an incidental finding on histological examination, although there are obvious differences between these two scenarios. According to the World Health Organization, the definition of DIPNECH is purely histological. However, DIPNECH encompasses symptomatic patients with airway disease, as well as asymptomatic patients with neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia associated with multiple tumourlets/carcinoid tumours. DIPNECH is also considered a pre-neoplastic lesion in the spectrum of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours, because it is commonly found in patients with peripheral carcinoid tumours.In this review, we summarise clinical, physiological, radiological and histological features of DIPNECH and critically discuss recently proposed diagnostic criteria. In addition, we propose that the term "DIPNECH syndrome" be used to indicate a sufficiently distinct patient subgroup characterised by respiratory symptoms, airflow obstruction, mosaic attenuation with air trapping on chest imaging and constrictive obliterative bronchiolitis, often with nodular proliferation of neuroendocrine cells with/without tumourlets/carcinoid tumours on histology. Surgical lung biopsy is the diagnostic gold standard. However, in the appropriate clinical and radiological setting, transbronchial lung biopsy may also allow a confident diagnosis of DIPNECH syndrome.

Whole lung lavage therapy for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a global survey of current practices and procedures

Abstract: Whole lung lavage (WLL) is the current standard of care treatment for patients affected by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). However, WLL is not standardized and international consensus documents are lacking. Our aim was to obtain a factual portrayal of WLL as currently practiced with respect to the procedure, indications for its use, evaluation of therapeutic benefit and complication rate. A clinical practice survey was conducted globally by means of a questionnaire and included 27 centers performing WLL in pediatric and/or adult PAP patients. We collected completed questionnaires from 20 centres in 14 countries, practicing WLL in adults and 10 centers in 6 countries, practicing WLL in pediatric patients. WLL is almost universally performed under general anesthesia, with a double-lumen endobronchial tube in two consecutive sessions, with an interval of 1–2 weeks between sessions in approximately 50 % of centres. The use of saline warmed to 37 °C, drainage of lung lavage fluid by gravity and indications for WLL therapy in PAP were homogenous across centres. There was great variation in the choice of the first lung to be lavaged: 50 % of centres based the choice on imaging, whereas 50 % always started with the left lung. The choice of position was also widely discordant; the supine position was chosen by 50 % of centres. Other aspects varied significantly among centres including contraindications, methods and timing of follow up, use of chest percussion, timing of extubation following WLL and lung isolation and lavage methods for small children. The amount of fluid used to perform the WLL is a critical aspect. Whilst a general consensus exists on the single aliquot of fluid for lavage (around 800 ml of warm saline, in adults) great variability exists in the total volume instilled per lung, ranging from 5 to 40 liters, with an average of 15.4 liters/lung. This international survey found that WLL is safe and effective as therapy for PAP. However these results also indicate that standardization of the procedure is required; the present survey represents the a first step toward building such a document.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias with connective tissue diseases features: A review.

Abstract: A systematic approach is recommended to search for clinical and biological features of connective tissue disease (CTD) in any patient with interstitial lung disease (ILD). In the diagnostic approach to ILD, a diagnosis of CTD should be considered particularly in women and subjects younger than 50 years, and in those with an imaging and/or pathological pattern of non-specific interstitial pneumonia. However, the diagnosis of CTD may be difficult when ILD is the presenting or the dominant manifestation of CTD. A proportion of patients with ILD present symptoms that belong to the spectrum of CTD and/or biological autoimmune features, but do not fulfil diagnostic criteria for a given CTD. Some imaging and histopathological patterns may also suggest the presence of an underlying CTD. Although studies published to date used heterogeneous definitions and terminology for this condition, evidence is accumulating that even limited CTD features are relevant regarding symptoms, imaging features, pathological pattern and possibly evolution to overt CTD, whereas the impact on prognosis needs confirmation. Conversely, autoantibodies alone do not seem to impact the prognosis or management in patients with otherwise typical idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and no extra-pulmonary manifestation. A collective international multidisciplinary effort has proposed a uniform definition and criteria for 'interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features', a condition characterized by limited CTD features occurring in the setting of ILD, with the aim of fostering future clinical studies. Referral of ILD patients suspect to have CTD to a rheumatologist and possibly multidisciplinary discussion may contribute to a better management.

Connective tissue diseases, multimorbidity and the ageing lung

Abstract: Connective tissue diseases encompass a wide range of heterogeneous disorders characterised by immune-mediated chronic inflammation often leading to tissue damage, collagen deposition and possible loss of function of the target organ. Lung involvement is a common complication of connective tissue diseases. Depending on the underlying disease, various thoracic compartments can be involved but interstitial lung disease is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension or both are found most commonly in systemic sclerosis. In the elderly, the prevalence of connective tissue diseases continues to rise due to both longer life expectancy and more effective and better-tolerated treatments. In the geriatric population, connective tissue diseases are almost invariably accompanied by age-related comorbidities, and disease- and treatment-related complications, which contribute to the significant morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions, and complicate treatment decision-making. Connective tissue diseases in the elderly represent a growing concern for healthcare providers and an increasing burden of global health resources worldwide. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the immune functions in the elderly and evidence-based guidelines specifically designed for this patient population are instrumental to improving the management of connective tissue diseases in elderly patients.

Lung biopsy in interstitial lung disease: balancing the risk of surgery and diagnostic uncertainty.

Abstract: Diagnostic guidelines now need to be amended to better correspond to the pragmatic management of ILDhttp://owly/97M8304aylG

Familial vs. sporadic sarcoidosis: BTNL2 polymorphisms, clinical presentations, and outcomes in a French cohort.

Abstract: The occurrence of familial forms of sarcoidosis (OMIM 181100) suggests a genetic predisposition. The involvement of butyrophilin-like 2 (BTNL2) gene (rs2076530 variant) has to be investigated. The study performed independent analyses of BTNL2 polymorphism, clinical phenotypes, and outcomes in familial vs. sporadic presentations in 256 sporadic and 207 familial cases from 140 families. The logistic multivariate model showed that a young age at diagnosis and the combination of lung and skin involvement at diagnosis may distinguish sporadic from familial sarcoidosis (p = 0.016 and p = 0.041). We observed also that Sarcoid Clinical Activity Classification (SCAC) profiles were significantly different between familial and sporadic cases (p = 0.0497). Variant rs2076530 was more frequent in patients than in controls (OR = 2.02; 95% CI: [1.32–3.09]) but showed no difference between sporadic and familial cases and no difference according to the clinical phenotype or the outcome. Despite a significant difference in BTNL2 polymorphism between sarcoid patients and controls, there was no such difference between familial and sporadic sarcoidosis cases and no correlation between BTNL2 polymorphism and disease severity or outcome. Thus, BTNL2 difference cannot be considered as a key marker for disease classification or patient management.

Many Faces of Bronchiolitis and Organizing Pneumonia.

Abstract: As the bronchioles have a strategic position between the airways and the alveolar structures, they are at a site where disorders of many origins may develop, including infections, inflammatory and/or fibrosing processes of immune, occupational, environmental, tumoral, and iatrogenic origin, which may result in predominant bronchiolitis and/or organizing pneumonia. This etiologic variety results in many distinct entities and syndromes, common or rare, with new or renewed faces such as bronchiolocentric interstitial pneumonia or organizing pneumonia primed by radiation to the breast.

A prospective study of the 6 min walk test as a surrogate marker for haemodynamics in two independent cohorts of treatment-naïve systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract: Objectives Despite the wide use of the 6 min walk distance (6MWD), no study has ever assessed its validity as a surrogate marker for haemodynamics and predictor of outcome in isolated pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-PAH). We designed this work to address this issue. Methods Treatment-naive patients with SSc-PAH were prospectively included from two sources: the French PAH Network (a prospective epidemiological cohort) (n=83) and randomised clinical trials submitted for drug approval (Food and Drug Administration) (n=332). Correlations between absolute values of the 6MWD and haemodynamics at baseline, as well as between variations of 6MWD and haemodynamics during follow-up, were studied in both populations. Results In the French cohort, baseline cardiac output (CO) (R-2=0.19, p=0.001) and New York Heart Association class (R-2=0.10, p<0.001) were significantly and independently correlated with baseline 6MWD in multivariate analysis. A significant, independent, but weaker, correlation with CO was also found in the Food and Drug Administration sample (R-2=0.04, p<0.001). During follow-up, there was no association between the changes in 6MWD and haemodynamic parameters in patients under PAH-specific treatments. Conclusions In SSc-PAH, CO independently correlates with 6MWD at baseline, but accounts for a small amount of the variance of 6MWD in both study samples. This suggests that other non-haemodynamic factors could have an impact on the walk distance. Moreover, variations of 6MWD do not reflect changes in haemodynamics among treated patients. Our results suggest that 6MWD is not an accurate surrogate marker for haemodynamic severity, nor an appropriate outcome measure to assess changes in haemodynamics during follow-up in treated SSc-PAH.

Patients', relatives', and practitioners' views of pulmonary arterial hypertension: A qualitative study.

Abstract: Summary Introduction To study practitioners’, patients’ with PAH, and relatives’ views regarding pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and identify potential improvements in medical care strategies. Methods A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews involving 16 patients, 4 relatives, and 9 practitioners. Results Patients with PAH, their relatives, and physicians who treat persons with PAH had divergent perspectives on PAH. The discrepancies identified concerned their perceptions of the illness and its impact on patients’ with PAH daily lives. Patients with PAH had a broader view, including social, identity, financial, and functional dimensions of PAH's impact on their lives, whereas practitioners were more focused on functional aspects. The study also pointed out divergent approaches among physicians to assessing patients’ New York Heart Association functional class. The expectations of patients with PAH, relatives, and physicians also differed. Patients with PAH expected improvement in PAH diagnosis and better coordination between primary care physicians and PAH medical centers. They also valued reducing side effects, less restrictive medications, and greater consideration of their views in the medical decision making process. Physicians’ expectations focused more on identifying and validating therapeutic strategies. Conclusion Our results suggest several potential improvements in patient management, especially in order to better tailor treatment to patients’ needs and to achieve a more uniform approach to the PAH functional impact assessment process. The findings may also be useful in enhancing therapeutic education for patients and their relatives, and in enabling practitioners to better interpret dyspnea in patients with PAH. Finally, this qualitative database will help in developing patient-reported outcome measures with better content validity. It lays the groundwork for developing new instruments to investigate the impact of PAH on patients’ daily lives in terms of symptom assessment and functional impact.

Risk of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Bioaccumulation in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract: Background: Patients treated for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) frequently receive vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for PAH or validated indications (such as atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism). In these latter indications, VKAs are challenged by direct oral anticoagulants (DOAs). Decreased dosage of DOAs has been proposed in patients at risk of bioaccumulation. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of bioaccumulation risks in patients treated with PAH-targeted therapy, particularly regarding the presence of validated indications. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in three different PAH referral centers. All patients receiving PAH-targeted therapy were classified according to demographics, prescription and indications of VKAs, and the presence of major bioaccumulation risk factors (renal failure, low body weight, strong P-glycoprotein or cytochrome P3A4 inhibitors). Results: Two hundred and thirty-nine of the 366 patients included received VKAs, 94 for validated indications. At least one major risk factor was found in 231 (63.1%) of the whole study population, and in 54 (57.4%) of the patients anticoagulated for a validated indication. No specific patient phenotype could be individualized. Conclusions: About 1 in 2 patients treated with PAH therapy has at least one of the three major risk factors for DOA bioaccumulation. DOAs in the PH setting could be associated with bioaccumulation and should be individualized, mainly in patients with confirmed indication.

Vein Diameter on Unenhanced Multidetector CT Predicts Reperfusion of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation after Embolotherapy.

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the value of the diameter of the draining vein of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) on unenhanced chest MDCT in diagnosing reperfusion after percutaneous vaso-occlusion therapy.

Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features: the new consensus-based definition for this cohort of patients should be broadened.

Abstract: We clarify that patients with UIP can indeed be classified as interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF)http://ow.ly/YGKLl

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: time to be more specific?

Abstract: Purpose of review There is growing speculation that idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) is, in reality, a grouping of separate disorders with a common histologic pattern. In this review, distinct clinical, imaging, and serologic features providing support for this premise are detailed and discussed. Recent findings The diagnosis of idiopathic NSIP is often uncertain because of its clinical and imaging diversity. In a landmark study of inter-multidisciplinary group diagnostic variation, there were striking discrepancies between seven expert groups (κ = 0.24) in diagnoses of idiopathic NSIP. Recent histologic observations provide support for the concept of an NSIP/organizing pneumonia overlap, distinct from isolated NSIP. An important group of NSIP patients with features of 'undifferentiated connective disease', historically classified as an idiopathic NSIP subgroup, have been shown to have a lower mortality than idiopathic NSIP patients without features of autoimmune disease. The recently proposed entity of 'interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features' includes many patients with a histologic or imaging pattern of NSIP, shown by Oldham and colleagues to have a similar survival to patients with connective tissue disease-related NSIP. Summary The concept of idiopathic NSIP as a grouping of separate disorders with a common histologic pattern provides a template for potentially important pathogenetic insights.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in heroin users

Abstract: endothelial cells (HAECs) subject to normal pulsatile flow or to flow associated with continuous-flow ventricular assist device (CFVAD) support. (B) Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of anti-oxidant gene expression in HAECs cultured under normal pulsatile flow or flow associated with CFVAD support maintained for 96 hours. Total messenger RNA (mRNA) from HAECs was analyzed and mRNA levels of antioxidant genes Gclc, Gclm, GSR, GPX1, Catalase (CAT), SOD1, SOD2, and G6PD were determined. The relative mRNA levels were determined by normalizing the Ct values of control cells (normal flow) with mRNA levels of reference gene glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The data represent mean standard error of the mean of relative mRNA levels of respective genes. *p o 0.05 for a sample size of n 1⁄4 4. (C) Immunoblots of representative anti-oxidant proteins glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic sub-unit (GCLC), catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), catalase, NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and SOD2) in HAECs cultured under normal pulsatile flow or flow associated with CFVAD support. Bar graphs represent the mean SEM of relative density units of band intensity of immunoreactive signal of antioxidant gene products with respect to band intensity of the housekeeping gene, GAPDH. *p o 0.05. for a sample size of n 1⁄4 4. The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Vol 35, No 7, July 2016 932

Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Mitomycin-Induced Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease: Evidence From Human Disease and Animal Model”

Abstract: We thank Dr Belge and colleagues for their interest in our study reporting mitomycin-C–induced pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) in patients displaying anal cancer and our preclinical model of PVOD in rats.1 Interestingly, they report 2 additional cases of PVOD in patients with anal cancer treated with mitomycin-C and 5-fluorouracil, initially masquerading as drug-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension according to the precapillary pulmonary hypertension pattern on right-sided heart catheterization and the absence of radiological abnormalities detected on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest. These 2 cases highlight the difficulty in accurately diagnosing PVOD in clinical practice. The crucial issue is that a definite diagnosis of PVOD is based on pathological assessment, but lung biopsies are contraindicated in these frail patients.2 Thus, diagnosis of PVOD requires a multiple noninvasive approach.2,3 Even if PVOD is characterized by anatomic obstruction of pulmonary venules, right-sided heart catheterization typically shows a precapillary pulmonary hypertension pattern.2,3 The explanation is that pulmonary artery wedge pressure merely reflects the pressure in a pulmonary vein of the same size as the wedged pulmonary artery.2 At …

Twenty-four week decline in forced vital capacity predicts mortality at week 52 in the INPULSIS® trials

Abstract: Background: In a pooled analysis of data from the Phase III INPULSIS ® trials, a significantly lower proportion of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treated with nintedanib vs placebo (PBO) had disease progression defined as absolute decline in FVC of ≥5% or ≥10% predicted at week 52. Aim: To explore the impact of change in FVC over 24 weeks on subsequent FVC decline and mortality. Methods: Post-hoc descriptive analysis of proportions of patients with absolute FVC declines of ® trials. Results: 1061 patients (nintedanib 638, PBO 423) were included. FVC decline of ≥5% or ≥10% predicted from baseline to week 24 did not predict FVC decline of ≥5% or ≥10% predicted, respectively, from week 24 to 52. The proportion of patients who died between weeks 24 and 52 increased with increasing FVC decline from baseline to week 24. Among patients with FVC declines of ≥5% or ≥10% predicted from baseline to week 24, more patients treated with nintedanib vs PBO had no further decline or an increase in FVC between weeks 24 and 52. Conclusion: FVC declines of ≥5% or ≥10% predicted in the first 24 weeks of the INPULSIS ® trials did not predict FVC decline but were associated with higher mortality in the following 24 weeks.

Understanding the priorities for women diagnosed with lymphangioleiomyomatosis: a patient perspective.

Abstract: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease that almost exclusively affects women and develops in about one in 400 000 adult females. The European Lung Foundation worked closely with one of the patient organisations within its network, the European LAM Federation, to raise awareness of LAM at the 2014 European Respiratory Society International Congress in Munich, Germany. In addition, an invitation-only workshop with 45 individuals from 13 countries was held to discuss the priorities for women in Europe living with the disease. The need for ongoing collaboration to improve knowledge of this rare lung condition with healthcare professionals across Europe was highlighted.