Most recently added articles listed first
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
In this paper, the authors apply a retrospective target trial emulation on a large dataset of patients with sarcoidosis from Sweden, to examine the difference in infection rates between those treated with methotrexate and azathioprine for their steroid-sparing effect. Their findings suggest an initial reduction in relative infection risk in those treated with methotrexate, although the difference reduced over time. Prospective data is needed to confirm this finding.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
The rapid escalation in 'vaping' using electronic nicotine delivery devices has not yet been matched by data demonstrating their safety. In a cohort of asthmatic patients taking regular inhaled corticosteroids, acute markers of airway inflammation and pulmonary function changed within five minutes of e-cigarette vaping and this did not occur in healthy controls. The authors discuss the implications for future research in both healthy subjects and patients with pre-existing obstructive lung diseases.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
Selection of inhaler device is known to affect compliance in asthma patients. This study demonstrates that changing from one format to another can lead to significant improvement in outcomes and is generally accepted by the patients.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
This population study examines the incidence of active tuberculosis diagnosis in a large population of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The authors demonstrate a significant protective effect in patients taking metformin, that is not seen with the use of other treatments including oral agents and insulin (despite improved glycaemic control). This suggests protection not only by improved glycaemic control but perhaps also via immune functions of metformin itself.
Increasing awareness of sex differences in airway diseases. Raghavan and Jain.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12702/abstract (Dec 2015)