Azithromycin for the Treatment of Chronic Cough in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Rationale: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) frequently suffer from chronic cough that is difficult to treat, which substantially affects their quality of life. Azithromycin has been demonstrated to relieve chronic cough in some populations; however, this has not been investigated in patients with IPF. Objectives: To determine the safety and efficacy of azithromycin for the treatment of chronic cough in patients with IPF. Methods: In a double-blind randomized controlled crossover trial, patients with IPF underwent two 12-week intervention periods (azithromycin 500 mg three times per week or placebo three times per week). The primary outcome was the change in cough-related quality of life as measured by the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Secondary outcomes included cough severity as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), health-related quality of life as assessed by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and objective cough frequency as measured by audiovisual readings from 24-hour respiratory polygraphy. Results: Twenty-five patients were randomized (23 men, 2 women); 20 patients completed the study. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 67 (8) years, the mean (SD) forced vital capacity was 65 (16) percent predicted, and the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide was 43 (16) percent predicted. The mean (SD) baseline LCQ scores were 11.7 (3.7) and 11.3 (3.3) for the azithromycin period and the placebo period, respectively, and the corresponding mean (SD) cough VAS scores were 5.6 (2.3) and 5.8 (2.1). There was no significant change in the LCQ score or the VAS score with azithromycin or with placebo. Similarly, there was no significant difference between the azithromycin period and the placebo period for change in polygraphy-measured cough frequency. Gastrointestinal adverse effects were more frequent with azithromycin than with placebo (diarrhea, 43% vs. 5%; P = 0.03). Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial does not support the use of low-dose azithromycin for chronic cough in patients with IPF.Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02173145).

Man or machine? Impact of tutor-guided versus simulator-guided short-time bronchoscopy training on students learning outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Simulation based medical education is efficient for the acquisition of flexible bronchoscopy navigational skills and the knowledge of the tracheobronchial anatomy. However, bronchoscopy simulator training is not routinely integrated into pneumologic fellowship programs or undergraduate medical education for time and/or cost reasons. Our study compares the effect of self-guided bronchoscopy simulator training versus tutor guided training on the acquisition of navigational skills and knowledge of the bronchial anatomy. METHODS: Third-year undergraduate medical students were randomized to either a tutor- or simulator guided bronchoscopy simulator training focusing on the acquisition of navigational skills and the knowledge of the tracheobronchial anatomy. Every student performed a baseline bronchoscopy followed by a structured bronchoscopy simulator training and finally an assessment bronchoscopy at the end of the training program. Groups were compared by means of a repeated measurement ANOVA and effect sizes calculated as Cohens' d. RESULTS: Fifty-four eligible students participated in the study. Knowledge of the tracheobronchial anatomy significantly increased from pre- to post training (all p < 0.001; all d > 2), navigational skills significantly decreased (all p < 0.005; all d < 1). There were no significant differences between groups. Instruction by the simulator as well as by the tutor was rated as helpful by the students. Twenty-two (84.6%) of the participants of the simulator guided group would have appreciated an additional instruction by a tutor. CONCLUSION: Short-time simulator guided bronchoscopy training improves knowledge of the tracheobronchial anatomy in novice bronchoscopists as much as tutor guided training, but navigational skills seem to worsen in both groups. Further studies assessing transfer to clinical practice are needed to find the optimal teaching method for basic flexible bronchoscopy.

Novel insights in cough and breathing patterns of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis performing repeated 24-hour-respiratory polygraphies.

BACKGROUND: The main symptoms of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are cough and dyspnea. IPF leads to a restrictive lung disorder impacting daytime and nocturnal breathing patterns. In this pilot study we assessed the course of day- and nighttime respiration, oxygenation, and cough over a period of 8 months as well as differences between wakefulness and sleep in IPF patients. METHODS: Repetitive 24-h respiratory polygraphies (RP) and pulmonary function tests were performed at baseline and after 3, 4, 7 and 8 months. Cough-index, oxygenation parameters (SpO2, time with SpO2 < 90%, desaturation index), respiratory rate and heart rate were assessed for differences between wakefulness and sleep. The first and the last RP were compared to identify changes of these parameters over time. Statistical analyses were performed with Wilcoxon signed rank tests. RESULTS: Nine IPF patients (8 male, median age 67 years (IQR 60, 77) with 37 valid 24-h RPs were included. Eight patients (88.9%) received antifibrotic treatment. Cough was more prevalent during wakefulness with a median cough-index of 14.8/h (IQR 10.9, 16.8) and 1.6/h (IQR 1.3-2.8) during sleep, p = 0.0039. Oxygenation parameters showed no difference, while respiratory- and heart rate were significantly higher during wakefulness. Despite stable pulmonary function tests over 8 months, the initially elevated respiratory rate increased further during wakefulness (baseline RR median 25.7/min (IQR 19.8, 26.6) vs. RR median 32.2/min (IQR 26.5, 40.9) at follow-up, p = 0.0273). The other respiratory parameters remained stable over time. CONCLUSION: Cough in IPF patients is more prevalent during wakefulness than during sleep. Further studies with a larger sample size and longer a follow-up period are needed to evaluate the role of the respiratory rate during wakefulness as a potential clinical follow up parameter in IPF.

A 58-Year-Old Man With Position-Dependent Nocturnal Dyspnea.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old man with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, who had received a right-sided single-lung transplant 2 years earlier, was referred to the sleep clinic for the assessment of nocturnal position-dependent episodes of dyspnea and frequent arousals when lying on his right side. There was no subjective worsening of daytime respiratory symptoms, but he complained of fatigue and unrefreshing sleep. His Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 12/24. After lung transplantation he had a favorable course while receiving immunosuppression with prednisolone, everolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. In addition, he had received diagnoses of stable coronary artery disease and moderate chronic kidney failure.