Top pulmonology news in June: Latest COVID-19 research, triple COPD therapy and more

The Healio Editors have compiled a list of the most-read pulmonology news published in June.

Healio readers were most interested in the latest research on COVID-19, including early results showing a mortality benefit of dexamethasone in ventilated patients and guidance for tracheostomy use during the pandemic; new data on triple inhaled therapy in patients with moderate or severe COPD; and a novel therapy for treatment of refractory chronic cough. Read these articles, and others, below, in no particular order.

Dexamethasone reduces mortality by one-third in ventilated patients with COVID-19

Low-dose dexamethasone used as a treatment for COVID-19 reduced the risk for death by one-third in ventilated patients and also lowered risk in patients receiving oxygen, according to early results from the RECOVERY randomized clinical trial. Raghavendra Tirupathi, MD, FACP, provides perspective. Read more

Postoperative pulmonary complications common in COVID-19

Among patients with COVID-19 who underwent surgery, 30-day mortality was high and approximately half of patients experienced postoperative pulmonary complications, according to an international study. Read more

Triple inhaled therapy reduces moderate, severe COPD exacerbations: ETHOS

Triple inhaled therapy with twice-daily budesonide, at two doses, glycopyrrolate and formoterol reduced the rate of moderate or severe COPD exacerbations compared with two dual-combination therapies, according to data from the ETHOS trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Read more

Air hunger, psychological trauma an urgent problem in ventilated COVID-19 patients

Ventilated patients with severe COVID-19 infection may experience air hunger and psychological trauma. A new paper published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society calls attention to ventilation and medication strategies. Read more

P2X3 receptor antagonist shows promise for treatment of refractory chronic cough

A novel P2X3 receptor antagonist, in multiple doses up to 750 mg, was well tolerated, and higher doses significantly reduced cough count and severity compared with placebo in patients with refractory chronic cough. Read more

Guidance for tracheostomy use during COVID-19 pandemic

Three medical societies released an expert panel report on the use of tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic while minimizing the risk for infection to health care workers. Read more

Masitinib reduces exacerbations in uncontrolled severe asthma

Masitinib significantly reduced asthma exacerbations in patients with severe asthma uncontrolled by oral corticosteroids compared with placebo treatment. Read more

Regions with early interest, adoption of face masks showed modest COVID-19 infection rates

Countries with early interest in face mask use had milder COVID-19 infection rates, according to a letter to the editor published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Read more

Asthma not associated with increased hospitalization in patients with COVID-19

Patients with asthma were not more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 compared with patients without asthma, according to a study. Read more

36% of US counties with high lung cancer rates at least 1 hour from screening center

A new study identified U.S. counties with high rates of lung cancer where travel times to a dedicated screening center exceed 60 minutes. Read more