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- Andersson, C, et al.
(author)
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Research highlights from the 2017 ERS International Congress: airway diseases in focus
- 2018
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In: ERJ open research. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 4:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For another year, high-quality research studies from around the world transformed the annual ERS International Congress into a vivid platform to discuss trending research topics, to produce new research questions and to further push the boundaries of respiratory medicine and science. This article reviews only some of the high-quality research studies on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis and chronic cough that were presented during the congress through the Airway Diseases Assembly (ERS Assembly 5) and places them into the context of current knowledge and research challenges.
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- Frix, AN, et al.
(author)
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Heterogeneity in the use of biologics for severe asthma in Europe: a SHARP ERS study
- 2022
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In: ERJ open research. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 8:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Treatment with biologics for severe asthma is informed by international and national guidelines and defined by national regulating bodies, but how these drugs are used in real-life is unknown.Materials and methodsThe European Respiratory Society (ERS) SHARP Clinical Research Collaboration conducted a three-step survey collecting information on asthma biologics use in Europe. Five geographically distant countries defined the survey questions, focusing on seven end-points: biologics availability and financial issues, prescription and administration modalities, inclusion criteria, continuation criteria, switching biologics, combining biologics and evaluation of corticosteroid toxicity. The survey was then sent to SHARP National Leads of 28 European countries. Finally, selected questions were submitted to a broad group of 263 asthma experts identified by national societies.ResultsAvailability of biologics varied between countries, with 17 out of 28 countries having all five existing biologics. Authorised prescribers (pulmonologists and other specialists) also differed. In-hospital administration was the preferred deliverance modality. While exacerbation rate was used as an inclusion criterion in all countries, forced expiratory volume in 1 s was used in 46%. Blood eosinophils were an inclusion criterion in all countries for interleukin-5 (IL-5)-targeted and IL-4/IL-13-targeted biologics, with varying thresholds. There were no formally established criteria for continuing biologics. Reduction in exacerbations represented the most important benchmark, followed by improvement in asthma control and quality of life. Only 73% (191 out of 263) of surveyed clinicians assessed their patients for corticosteroid-induced toxicity.ConclusionOur study reveals important heterogeneity in the use of asthma biologics across Europe. To what extent this impacts on clinical outcomes relevant to patients and healthcare services needs further investigation.
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- Hansen, S., et al.
(author)
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Prevalence and management of severe asthma in the Nordic countries: findings from the NORDSTAR cohort
- 2023
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In: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 9:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Real-life evidence on prevalence and management of severe asthma is limited. Nationwide population registries across the Nordic countries provide unique opportunities to describe prevalence and management patterns of severe asthma at population level. In nationwide register data from Sweden, Norway and Finland, we examined the prevalence of severe asthma and the proportion of severe asthma patients being managed in specialist care. Methods This is a cross-sectional study based on the Nordic Dataset for Asthma Research (NORDSTAR) research collaboration platform. We identified patients with severe asthma in adults (aged >= 18 years) and in children (aged 6-17 years) in 2018 according to the European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society definition. Patients managed in specialist care were those with an asthma-related specialist outpatient contact (only available in Sweden and Finland). Results Overall, we identified 598 242 patients with current asthma in Sweden, Norway and Finland in 2018. Among those, the prevalence of severe asthma was 3.5%, 5.4% and 5.2% in adults and 0.4%, 1.0%, and 0.3% in children in Sweden, Norway and Finland, respectively. In Sweden and Finland, 37% and 40% of adult patients with severe asthma and two or more exacerbations, respectively, were managed in specialist care; in children the numbers were 56% and 41%, respectively. Conclusion In three Nordic countries, population-based nationwide data demonstrated similar prevalence of severe asthma. In children, severe asthma was a rare condition. Notably, a large proportion of patients with severe asthma were not managed by a respiratory specialist, suggesting the need for increased recognition of severe asthma in primary care.
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- Khaleva, E, et al.
(author)
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Definitions of non-response and response to biological therapy for severe asthma: a systematic review
- 2023
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In: ERJ open research. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 9:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biologics have proven efficacy for patients with severe asthma but there is lack of consensus on defining response. We systematically reviewed and appraised methodologically developed, defined, and evaluated definitions of non-response and response to biologics for severe asthma.MethodsWe searched four bibliographic databases from inception to 15th March 2021 (PROSPERO: CRD42021211249).Two reviewers screened references, extracted data, assessed methodological quality of development, measurement properties of outcome measures and definitions of response based on COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). Modified GRADE approach and narrative synthesis were undertaken.ResultsThirteen studies reported three composite outcome measures, three measures of asthma symptoms, one asthma control and one quality of life. Only four were developed with patient input; none were composite measures. Studies utilised 17 definitions of response: 10/17 (58.8%) were based on Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) or Minimal Important Difference (MID) and 16/17 (94.1%) had high quality evidence. Results were limited by poor methodology for development process and incomplete reporting of psychometric properties. Most measures rated “very low” to “low” for quality of measurement properties and none met all quality standards.ConclusionThis is the first review to synthesize evidence about definitions of response to biologics for severe asthma. While high quality definitions are available, most are MCIDs or MIDs which may be insufficient to justify continuation of biologics in terms of cost-effectiveness. There remains an unmet need for universally accepted, patient-centred, composite definitions to aid clinical decision making and comparability of responses to biologics.
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- Traversi, L, et al.
(author)
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ROSE: radiology, obstruction, symptoms and exposure - a Delphi consensus definition of the association of COPD and bronchiectasis by the EMBARC Airways Working Group
- 2021
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In: ERJ open research. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 7:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The coexistence of COPD and bronchiectasis seems to be common and associated with a worse prognosis than for either disease individually. However, no definition of this association exists to guide researchers and clinicians.MethodsWe conducted a Delphi survey involving expert pulmonologists and radiologists from Europe, Turkey and Israel in order to define the “COPD– [bronchiectasis] BE association”.A panel of 16 experts from EMBARC selected 35 statements for the survey after reviewing scientific literature. Invited participants, selected on the basis of expertise, geographical and sex distribution, were asked to express agreement on the statements. Consensus was defined as a score of ≥6 points (scale 0 to 9) in ≥70% of answers across two scoring rounds.Results102 (72.3%) out of 141 invited experts participated in the first round. Their response rate in the second round was 81%. The final consensus definition of “COPD–BE association” was: “The coexistence of (1) specific radiological findings (abnormal bronchial dilatation, airways visible within 1 cm of pleura and/or lack of tapering sign in ≥1 pulmonary segment and in >1 lobe) with (2) an obstructive pattern on spirometry ([forced expiratory volume in 1 s] FEV1/[forced vital capacity] FVC <0.7), (3) at least two characteristic symptoms (cough, expectoration, dyspnoea, fatigue, frequent infections) and (4) current or past exposure to smoke (≥10 pack-years) or other toxic agents (biomass, etc.)”. These criteria form the acronym “ROSE” (Radiology, Obstruction, Symptoms, Exposure).ConclusionsThe Delphi process formulated a European consensus definition of “COPD–BE association”. We hope this definition will have broad applicability across clinical practice and research in the future.
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