Pneumomediastinum in COVID-19: Risk factors and outcomes from a multicentre case-control study.

BACKGROUND: An increased incidence of pneumomediastinum has been observed among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. The study aimed to identify risk factors for COVID-19-associated pneumomediastinum and investigate the impact of pneumomediastinum on clinical outcomes. METHODS: In this multicentre retrospective case-control study, we included consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and pneumomediastinum hospitalized from March 2020 to July 2020 at ten centres; then, we identified a similarly sized control group of consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure who did not develop pneumomediastinum during the same period. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics, as well as respiratory support and outcomes, were collected and compared between the two groups. Risk factors of pneumomediastinum were assessed by multivariable logistic analysis. RESULTS: Overall 139 patients with pneumomediastinum and 153 without pneumomediastinum were analysed. Lung involvement ≥75 %, consolidations, body mass index (BMI) < 22 kg/m2, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 150 mg/L, D-dimer >3000 ng/mL FEUs, and smoking exposure >20 pack-year were all independently correlated with the occurrence of pneumomediastinum. Patients with pneumomediastinum had a longer hospital stay (mean ± SD 31.2 ± 20.2 days vs 19.6 ± 14.2, p < 0.001), higher intubation rate (73/139, 52.5 % vs 27/153, 17.6 %, p < 0.001), and in-hospital mortality (68/139, 48.9 % vs 36/153, 23.5 %, p < 0.001) compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive lung parenchyma involvement, consolidations, low BMI, high inflammatory markers, and tobacco exposure are associated with a greater risk of pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 pneumonia. This complication significantly worsens the outcomes.

Optimizing Treatment of Elderly COPD Patients: What Role for Inhaled Corticosteroids?

The most recent international documents on the management and therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recommend inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in addition to long-acting bronchodilators as maintenance treatment for patients at high risk of exacerbations, namely patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of <50% predicted and/or more than one exacerbation per year. However, ICS are widely used in up to 70% of COPD patients, including those at low risk of exacerbations. In recent years, concerns about the potential adverse effects of this drug category have been raised, and both observational and clinical studies have shown that elderly subjects with COPD treated with ICS are at high risk of developing cataracts and diabetes and more severe and life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and osteoporotic fractures. Moreover, aging is characterized by memory impairment, decline in muscle strength and body mass impaired coordination, as well as alterations in eyesight and hearing that can impede proper use of devices currently available for ICS administration. Thus, regular use of ICS in more elderly patients with COPD should follow guideline recommendations, be considered with caution, and be based upon carefully weighing up expected benefits with the risk of undesired, adverse effects.

Clinical role of dual bronchodilation with an indacaterol-glycopyrronium combination in the management of COPD: its impact on patient-related outcomes and quality of life.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the result of persistent and progressive pathologic abnormalities in the small airways, most often associated with alveolar loss. Smoking cessation is the most effective intervention to slow down the progression of COPD. Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators are prescribed for the symptomatic relief at any stage of disease severity. For patients whose COPD cannot be not sufficiently controlled with long-acting bronchodilator monotherapy, international guidelines suggest the possibility of associating a long-acting beta2 agonist (LABA) with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), ie, dual bronchodilation. This is not a new concept as the combination of short-acting agents has been popular in the past. In recent years, several fixed-dose combinations containing a LAMA and a LABA in a single inhaler have been approved by regulatory authorities in several countries. Among the new LAMA/LABA combinations, the fixed-dose combination of indacaterol 110 µg/glycopyrronium 50 µg (QVA149) has been shown in a series of clinical trials to be as safe as the single components and placebo, and more effective than placebo and the single components with regard to lung function, symptoms, and patient-oriented outcomes. Furthermore, QVA149 achieved better bronchodilation than salmeterol 50 µg/fluticasone 500 µg twice daily. Compared with tiotropium, a well-recognized treatment for COPD, the percentage of patients that exceed the minimal clinical important difference for dyspnea and health-related quality of life measurements was superior with QVA149. Other patient-oriented outcomes, such as daily symptoms, night-time awakening, and use of rescue medication consistently favored QVA149. Finally, QVA149 was significantly superior to LAMAs for reducing all types of exacerbation. In conclusion, several years after introduction of dual bronchodilation, the fixed-dose combination of indacaterol 110 µg/glycopyrronium 50 µg in a single inhaler for once-daily administration via the Breezhaler device (QVA149) has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective treatment for COPD patients.