Outcome of Inhaler Withdrawal in Patients Receiving Triple Therapy for COPD / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to document outcomes following withdrawal of a single inhaler (step-down) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients on triple therapy (long-acting muscarinic antagonist and a combination of long-acting beta2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroid), which a common treatment strategy in clinical practice. METHODS: Through a retrospective observational study, COPD patients receiving triple therapy over 2 years (triple group; n=109) were compared with those who had undergone triple therapy for at least 1 year and subsequently, over 9 months, initiated inhaler withdrawal (step-down group, n=39). The index time was defined as the time of withdrawal in the stepdown group and as 1 year after the start of triple therapy in the triple group. RESULTS: Lung function at the index time was superior and the previous exacerbation frequency was lower in the stepdown group than in the triple group. Step-down resulted in aggravating disease symptoms, a reduced overall quality of life, decreasing exercise performance, and accelerated forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) decline (54.7+/-15.7 mL/yr vs. 10.7+/-7.1 mL/yr, p=0.007), but there was no observed increase in the frequency of exacerbations. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of a single inhaler during triple therapy in COPD patients should be conducted with caution as it may impair the exercise capacity and quality of life while accelerating FEV1 decline.

Endobronchial ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Presenting Massive Hemoptysis / 결핵및호흡기질환

Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) of the lung is highly aggressive and quite rare. We report here a case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive endobronchial ALCL, that was initially thought to be primary lung cancer. A 68-year-old woman presented with hemoptysis, dyspnea, and upper respiratory symptoms persisting since 1 month. The hemoptysis and and bronchial obstruction lead to respiratory failure, prompting emergency radiotherapy and steroid treatment based on the probable diagnosis of lung cancer, although a biopsy did not confirm malignancy. Following treatment, her symptoms resolved completely. Chest computed tomography scan performed 8 months later showed increased and enlarged intra-abdominal lymph nodes, suggesting lymphoma. At that time, a lymph node biopsy was recommended, but the patient refused and was lost to follow up. Sixteen months later, the patient revisited the emergency department, complaining of persistent abdominal pain since several months. A laparoscopic intra-abdominal lymph node biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of ALCL.