touchREVIEWS in Respiratory & Pulmonary Diseases Volume 8, Issue 1, 2023

Welcome to the latest issue of touchREVIEWS in Respiratory & Pulmonary Diseases, in which we bring you a range of topical and timely articles in the field of lung diseases. In this issue, we begin with an expert interview about lebrikizumab (an anti-interleukin-13 biologic) for asthma. Stanley Szefler describes the clinical trials that have helped […]

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 […]

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, […]

The definition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has recently been reformulated better to encompass the heterogeneous nature of this lung condition.1 The new definition is broader, includes risk factors other than smoking, and aims to improve the diagnosis, management and clinical trials of a disorder with high morbidity and mortality rates.1 In this expert interview, […]

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic sinus disease that affects between 5% and 12% of the general population.1–3 Despite substantially impacting the patient’s quality of life, it often remains underdiagnosed and undertreated.1 The European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA) recently published a CRS pocket guide providing a simplified clinical care […]

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 […]

The natural progression of neuromuscular disease (NMD) inevitably involves respiratory system failure. Increasing respiratory muscle weakness causes worsening hypoventilation, leading to hypercapnia and, eventually, hypoxemia. The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) recently published guidelines on the respiratory management of patients with NMD, who are increasingly presenting at pulmonary clinics.1 Continued improvements in non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (hereafter NIV) are […]

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary syndrome with a prevalence of approximately seven cases per 1 million individuals.1,2 PAP affects people of all age, sex, race and socioeconomic status. Based on the largest population studies conducted in the United States and Japan, the median age for diagnosis in Japan is 51 years with a male:female […]

Chronic cough, defined as a cough lasting over 8 weeks, has an estimated global prevalence of 10% and has significant detrimental physical, social and psychological consequences on individuals.1,2 Chronic cough is a complex heterogeneous disease, in which many causative factors need to be explored (Figure 1).3 The three most reported associations are rhinosinusitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and […]

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 […]