Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)-lung disease (LD) is a rare genetic disease caused by a deficiency of the alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) protein in the blood and lungs. Loss of the AAT protein reduces inhibition of the proteases, specifically neutrophil elastase, which digests connective tissue in the lungs.1 AATD is associated with a predisposition for developing emphysema, […]

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with notable variation in its clinical course and response to treatment. Despite management with standard-of-care therapies, a proportion of patients remain uncontrolled and at risk of life-threatening exacerbations and disease worsening. Advances in understanding the heterogeneity of asthma have helped to identify patients who will benefit from an understanding of […]

For over four decades, polls in the USA have demonstrated that nearly 70% of smokers want to quit and 55% of smokers have attempted to quit in the past year.1 Over these decades, despite advances in medications and behavioural treatments, less than 10% of smokers successfully quit.2 Sadly, an estimated 31 million adult Americans continue to smoke and 11 million are e-cigarette users.3,4 […]

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a widespread disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide.1 It is characterized by repeated episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep; these episodes can have several negative consequences, including daytime sleepiness, impaired quality of life and an increased risk of developing other health problems, such as hypertension, heart disease and stroke.2 To effectively diagnose and treat OSA, it is essential […]

There is a genuine interest on the part of researchers and the pharmaceutical industry in developing so-called ‘bifunctional’ drugs – that is, single molecules with two different primary pharmacological actions.1,2 In this context, single molecules that are capable of simultaneously inducing bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory activity are a highly intriguing possibility for treating a variety of obstructive […]

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) frequently complicates rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1 Moreover, it is more common among those who are male, smoke or are seropositive and with increasing age.1 Emergent risk factors include gain-of-function promoter variants in the MUC5B gene and telomere shortening,2 the latter possibly mediated by tobacco exposure.3 Among patients with RA, the predominant types of ILD are usual interstitial […]

Welcome to the latest edition of touchREVIEWS in Respiratory & Pulmonary Diseases, which covers several hot topics in respiratory medicine, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis and the ever-present subject of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The articles and expert opinions in this journal reflect the progress and challenges in this active […]

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction precipitating variable degrees of recurrent desaturations, sleep fragmentation and increased autonomic stimulation. As the global burden of obesity continues to rise, so too has the prevalence of OSA.1 Although OSA is known to be more common in men and older adults, it is now recognized […]

Judith Durham (of The Seekers fame) died in August this year from bronchiectasis – a timely reminder of the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease of chronic airway inflammation and damage and a tribute to Durham’s personal and professional resilience.1 The measles that initiated Durham’s airway damage is mercifully now rare (although bronchiectasis can develop […]