Top news of June: Updates in COVID-19, cystic fibrosis, COPD and more

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

Highlights from the last month include U.S. News & World Report’s rankings for pulmonology and lung surgery; new oral-only dosing regimen for patients with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia; FDA approval of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor for children aged 6 to 11 years with cystic fibrosis; and more.

Read these articles, and others, below, in no particular order.

FDA approves omadacycline oral regimen for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia

The FDA has approved omadacycline, an oral-only dosing regimen, for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, according to a press release from Paratek Pharmaceuticals. Read more

FDA approves Trikafta for children aged 6 to 11 with cystic fibrosis

The FDA has expanded use of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor for children aged 6 to 11 years with cystic fibrosis with certain mutations, according to a press release from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Read more

Significant decrease in COPD admissions seen during COVID-19 pandemic

COPD admissions significantly decreased following the implementation of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data published in the American Journal of Medicine. Read more

Long-term dupilumab treatment of OCS-dependent asthma reduced OCS use

Long-term treatment with dupilumab helped patients with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma wean their oral corticosteroid use and also reduced exacerbations and improved lung function. Read more

Boston Children’s Hospital ranked No. 1 in US for pulmonology and lung surgery

Boston Children’s Hospital ranked No. 1 on U.S. News & World Report‘s list of best children’s hospitals for pulmonology and lung surgery. Read more

Younger adults with COPD experience significant morbidity, excess mortality

Younger adults with COPD have elevated rates of health care utilization and excess mortality, researchers reported. Read more

New guidance on testing for noninfluenza viral pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia

The American Thoracic Society issued a new clinical practice guideline that addresses the use of nucleic acid-based testing for noninfluenza viral pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia in the outpatient and inpatient setting. Read more

Fixed-dose combination budesonide, albuterol prevents exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

New data from the phase 3 TYREE study demonstrate efficacy of a fixed-dose combination of budesonide and albuterol in a single pressurized metered-dose inhaler to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in individuals with asthma. Read more

Many patients self-identify need for pulmonary rehab following COVID-19 hospitalization

In a new study, 30% of patients discharged following COVID-19 hospitalization self-identified the need for pulmonary rehabilitation within 6 months. Read more

Heart rate response to sleep apnea events may aid in determining CV benefit from CPAP

CPAP therapy may have a protective effect on adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease and nonsleepy obstructive sleep apnea who have greater heart rate responses to sleep apnea events. Read more