Clinical standards for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease

BACKGROUND: The aim of these clinical standards is to provide guidance on 'best practice' care for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease.METHODS: A panel of international experts representing scientific societies, associations and groups active in post-COVID-19 lung disease was identified; 45 completed a Delphi process. A 5-point Likert scale indicated level of agreement with the draft standards. The final version was approved by consensus (with 100% agreement).RESULTS: Four clinical standards were agreed for patients with a previous history of COVID-19: Standard 1, Patients with sequelae not explained by an alternative diagnosis should be evaluated for possible post-COVID-19 lung disease; Standard 2, Patients with lung function impairment, reduced exercise tolerance, reduced quality of life (QoL) or other relevant signs or ongoing symptoms ≥4 weeks after the onset of first symptoms should be evaluated for treatment and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR); Standard 3, The PR programme should be based on feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness criteria, organised according to local health services and tailored to an individual patient's needs; and Standard 4, Each patient undergoing and completing PR should be evaluated to determine its effectiveness and have access to a counselling/health education session.CONCLUSION: This is the first consensus-based set of clinical standards for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease. Our aim is to improve patient care and QoL by guiding clinicians, programme managers and public health officers in planning and implementing a PR programme to manage post-COVID-19 lung disease.CONTEXTE : L’objectif de ces normes cliniques est de fournir des conseils sur les « meilleures pratiques » en matière de diagnostic, de traitement et de prévention des maladies pulmonaires post-COVID-19. MÉTHODES : Un groupe d’experts internationaux représentant des sociétés scientifiques, des associations et des groupes actifs dans le domaine des maladies pulmonaires post-COVID-19 a été constitué ; 45 d’entre eux ont participé à un processus Delphi. Une échelle de Likert en 5 points a permis d’indiquer le niveau d’accord avec les projets de normes. La version finale a été approuvée par consensus (100% d’accord). RÉSULTATS : Quatre normes cliniques ont été approuvées pour les patients ayant des antécédents de COVID-19 : Norme 1, les patients présentant des séquelles non expliquées par un autre diagnostic doivent être évalués en vue d’une éventuelle maladie pulmonaire post-COVID-19 ; Norme 2, les patients présentant une altération de la fonction pulmonaire, une diminution de la tolérance à l’effort, une réduction de la qualité de vie (QoL) ou d’autres signes pertinents ou des symptômes persistants, quatre semaines ou plus après l’apparition des premiers symptômes, doivent être évalués en vue d’un traitement et d’une réadaptation pulmonaire (PR, de l’anglais ‘pulmonaire rehabilitation’) ; Norme 3, le programme de PR doit être basé sur des critères de faisabilité, d’efficacité et de rentabilité, organisé en fonction des services de santé locaux et adapté aux besoins individuels des patients ; et Norme 4, chaque patient qui suit et termine un programme de PR doit être évalué pour déterminer son efficacité et avoir accès à une session de conseil/éducation à la santé. CONCLUSION : Il s’agit du premier ensemble consensuel de normes cliniques pour le diagnostic, le traitement et la prévention des maladies pulmonaires post-COVID-19. Notre objectif est d’améliorer les soins et la qualité de vie des patients en guidant les cliniciens, les responsables de programmes et les responsables de la santé publique dans la planification et la mise en œuvre d’un programme de relations publiques pour la prise en charge des maladies pulmonaires post-COVID-19

post tuberculosis treatment infectious complications

Following greater attention and follow-up of patients with treated pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), it has emerged that infections are more likely to occur in this cohort of patients. This comes as no surprise, as pulmonary TB is a destructive process that leads to cicatrization, alteration of parenchyma, bronchiectasis, and scarring of the lung, with reduction of lung volumes and an impact on pulmonary function. In addition to relapse and re-infection with TB, other pathogens are increasingly recognized in post-TB patients. This paper serves as a summary and guide on how to approach the post-TB patient with new signs and symptoms of pulmonary infection in order to ensure optimal management and rehabilitation. Keywords: Tuberculosis, Post-treatment complication, Sequelae, Pulmonary rehabilitation, NTM, Bronchiectasi

Post-tuberculosis lung disease: a comparison of Brazilian, Italian, and Mexican cohorts

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate lung function in a cohort of patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis in Brazil, as well as to evaluate the decline in lung function over time and compare it with that observed in similar cohorts in Mexico and Italy. METHODS: The three cohorts were compared in terms of age, smoking status, pulmonary function test results, six-minute walk test results, and arterial blood gas results. In the Brazilian cohort, pulmonary function test results, six-minute walk test results, and arterial blood gas results right after the end of tuberculosis treatment were compared with those obtained at the end of the follow-up period. RESULTS: The three cohorts were very different regarding pulmonary function test results. The most common ventilatory patterns in the Brazilian, Italian, and Mexican cohorts were an obstructive pattern, a mixed pattern, and a normal pattern (in 58 patients [50.9%], in 18 patients [41.9%], and in 26 patients [44.1%], respectively). Only 2 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases were included in the Brazilian cohort, whereas, in the Mexican cohort, 27 cases were included (45.8%). Mean PaO2 and mean SaO2 were lower in the Mexican cohort than in the Brazilian cohort (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.002 for PaO2 and SaO2, respectively). In the Brazilian cohort, almost all functional parameters deteriorated over time. CONCLUSIONS: This study reinforces the importance of early and effective treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis patients, because multidrug-resistant tuberculosis increases lung damage. When patients complete their tuberculosis treatment, they should be evaluated as early as possible, and, if post-tuberculosis lung disease is diagnosed, they should be managed and offered pulmonary rehabilitation because there is evidence that it is effective in these patients

Sequelas pulmonares da tuberculose : comparação de coortes do Brasil, Itália e México

Objective: To evaluate lung function in a cohort of patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis in Brazil, as well as to evaluate the decline in lung function over time and compare it with that observed in similar cohorts in Mexico and Italy. Methods: The three cohorts were compared in terms of age, smoking status, pulmonary function test results, six-minute walk test results, and arterial blood gas results. In the Brazilian cohort, pulmonary function test results, six-minute walk test results, and arterial blood gas results right after the end of tuberculosis treatment were compared with those obtained at the end of the follow-up period. Results: The three cohorts were very different regarding pulmonary function test results. The most common ventilatory patterns in the Brazilian, Italian, and Mexican cohorts were an obstructive pattern, a mixed pattern, and a normal pattern (in 58 patients [50.9%], in 18 patients [41.9%], and in 26 patients [44.1%], respectively). Only 2 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases were included in the Brazilian cohort, whereas, in the Mexican cohort, 27 cases were included (45.8%). Mean PaO2 and mean SaO2 were lower in the Mexican cohort than in the Brazilian cohort (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.002 for PaO2 and SaO2, respectively). In the Brazilian cohort, almost all functional parameters deteriorated over time. Conclusions: This study reinforces the importance of early and effective treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis patients, because multidrug-resistant tuberculosis increases lung damage. When patients complete their tuberculosis treatment, they should be evaluated as early as possible, and, if post-tuberculosis lung disease is diagnosed, they should be managed and offered pulmonary rehabilitation because there is evidence that it is effective in these patients.Objetivo: Avaliar a função pulmonar em uma coorte de pacientes com história de tuberculose pulmonar no Brasil, bem como avaliar o declínio da função pulmonar ao longo do tempo e compará-lo com o observado em coortes semelhantes no México e Itália. Métodos: As três coortes foram comparadas quanto à idade, tabagismo, testes de função pulmonar, teste de caminhada de seis minutos e gasometria arterial. Na coorte brasileira, os resultados dos testes de função pulmonar, do teste de caminhada de seis minutos e da gasometria arterial logo após o término do tratamento da tuberculose foram comparados com os obtidos no fim do período de acompanhamento. Resultados: As três coortes foram muito diferentes quanto aos resultados dos testes de função pulmonar. Os padrões ventilatórios mais comuns nas coortes brasileira, italiana e mexicana foram o padrão obstrutivo, o padrão misto e o padrão normal [em 58 pacientes (50,9%), em 18 pacientes (41,9%) e em 26 pacientes (44,1%), respectivamente]. Apenas 2 casos de tuberculose multirresistente foram incluídos na coorte brasileira, ao passo que na coorte mexicana foram incluídos 27 casos (45,8%). As médias da PaO2 e SaO2 foram mais baixas na coorte mexicana do que na brasileira (p < 0,0001 e p < 0,002 para PaO2 e SaO2 , respectivamente). Na coorte brasileira, quase todos os parâmetros funcionais se deterioraram ao longo do tempo. Conclusões: Este estudo reforça a importância do tratamento precoce e eficaz de pacientes com tuberculose sensível, pois a tuberculose multirresistente aumenta o dano pulmonar. Quando o tratamento da tuberculose é concluído, os pacientes devem ser avaliados o quanto antes e, caso se estabeleça o diagnóstico de sequelas pulmonares da tuberculose, é preciso tratá-los e oferecer-lhes reabilitação pulmonar, pois há evidências de que ela é eficaz nesses pacientes

Severity of COVID-19: The importance of being hypertensive

The novel respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a cluster of pneumonia cases in China at the end of 2019. After few months, it led to a pandemic that has spread throughout most countries of the world (https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html)

Current developments and future directions in COPD

The European Respiratory Society journals publish respiratory research and policy documents of the highest quality, offering a platform for the exchange and promotion of scientific knowledge. In this article, focusing on COPD, the third leading cause of death globally, we summarise novel research highlights focusing on the disease's underlying mechanisms, epidemiology and management, with the aim to inform and inspire respiratory clinicians and researchers

Is Two Better Than One? The Impact of Doubling Training Volume in Severe COPD: A Randomized Controlled Study

Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are unable to exercise at high intensities for sufficiently long periods of time to obtain true physiological training effects. It therefore appears sensible to increase training duration at sub-maximal exercise intensities to optimize the benefit of exercise training. We compared the effects on exercise tolerance of two endurance cycloergometer submaximal exercise protocols with different cumulative training loads (one (G1) versus two (G2) daily 40 min training sessions) both implemented over 20 consecutive days in 149 patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume at first second (FEV1): 39% predicted) admitted to an inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program. Patients in G2 exhibited greater improvement (p = 0.011) in submaximal endurance time (from 258 (197) to 741 (662) sec) compared to G1 (from 303 (237) to 530 (555) sec). Clinically meaningful improvements in health-related quality of life, 6MWT, and chronic dyspnea were not different between groups. Doubling the volume of endurance training is feasible and can lead to an additional benefit on exercise tolerance. Future studies may investigate the applicability and benefits of this training strategy in the outpatient or community-based pulmonary rehabilitation settings to amplify the benefits of exercise interventions

Tratamento da tuberculose grave e suas sequelas : da terapia intensiva à cirurgia e reabilitação

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) continue to challenge physicians and public health specialists. Global treatment outcomes continue to be unsatisfactory, positive outcomes being achieved in only 54% of patients. Overall outcomes are even worse in patients infected with highly resistant strains. Treating MDR-/XDR-TB is difficult because of frequent adverse events, the long duration of drug regimens, the high costs of second-line drugs, chronic post-infectious sequelae, and loss of organ function. Ongoing research efforts (studies and trials) have various aims: increasing the rates of treatment success; understanding the potentialities of new and repurposed drugs; shortening the treatment duration; and reducing the rates of adverse events. It is hoped that better access to rapid diagnostics, increased awareness, and treatments that are more effective will reduce the rate of complications and of lung function impairment. This article aims to discuss the management of severe tuberculosis (defined as that which is potentially life threatening, requiring higher levels of care) and its sequelae, from intensive care to the postoperative period, rehabilitation, and recovery. We also discuss the nonpharmacological interventions available to manage chronic sequelae and improve patient quality of life. Because the majority of MDR-/ XDR-TB cases evolve to lung function impairment (typically obstructive but occasionally restrictive), impaired quality of life, and low performance status (as measured by walk tests or other metrics), other interventions (e.g., smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, vaccination/prevention of secondary bacterial infections/exacerbations, complemented by psychological and nutritional support) are required.A tuberculose multirresistente e a tuberculose extensivamente resistente ainda são um desafio para médicos e especialistas em saúde pública. Os desfechos globais do tratamento ainda são insatisfatórios; apenas 54% dos pacientes têm um desfecho positivo. Os desfechos globais são ainda piores em pacientes infectados por cepas altamente resistentes. O tratamento da tuberculose multirresistente/extensivamente resistente é difícil em virtude dos eventos adversos frequentes, da longa duração dos esquemas terapêuticos, do alto custo dos medicamentos de segunda linha, das sequelas pós-infecciosas crônicas e da perda da função orgânica. Esforços de pesquisa (estudos e ensaios) estão em andamento e têm diversos objetivos: aumentar as taxas de sucesso do tratamento; compreender o potencial de medicamentos novos e reaproveitados; encurtar o tratamento e reduzir as taxas de eventos adversos. Espera-se que melhor acesso ao diagnóstico rápido, maior conhecimento e terapias mais eficazes reduzam as complicações e o comprometimento da função pulmonar. O objetivo deste artigo é discutir o tratamento da tuberculose grave (potencialmente fatal, que necessita de níveis maiores de atenção) e suas sequelas, desde a terapia intensiva até o pós-operatório, reabilitação e recuperação. São também discutidas as intervenções não farmacológicas disponíveis para tratar sequelas crônicas e melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Como a maioria dos casos de tuberculose multirresistente/extensivamente resistente resulta em comprometimento da função pulmonar (obstrução principalmente, mas às vezes restrição), qualidade de vida prejudicada e desempenho reduzido (medido por meio de testes de caminhada ou outros), são necessárias outras intervenções (cessação do tabagismo, reabilitação pulmonar, vacinação e prevenção de infecções bacterianas secundárias/exacerbações, por exemplo, complementadas por apoio psicológico e nutricional)

The Maugeri daily activity profile: a tool to assess physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) report reduced physical activity (PA). There are only few tools available to assess PA and sedentary behavior in these patients, and none of them aims to differentiate between sedentary and active patterns. The aim of the study was to evaluate an easy tool to profile daily activity time in a cohort of patients with COPD, compared to healthy subjects; the study was set at the Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri (ICS), IRCCS of Tradate and Lumezzane, Italy, and at the Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale Novaggio, Switzerland (Italian Speaking). The populations were inpatients with COPD, healthy subjects. The items of the Maugeri Daily Activity (MaDA) profile were chosen based on literature, interviews with patients and health professionals. Time spent during sleep (ST), when awake (AT), active (ACT) or in sedentary behavior (SET) were recorded. Lung function tests, arterial blood gases, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), the six-minute walking distance test (6MWD), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and the body-mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index were also assessed in patients. Sixty patients with COPD and 60 healthy controls filled in the questionnaire. As compared to controls, patients showed longer AT and SET. Active time of patients was significantly correlated with mMRC, CAT, Bode Index and 6MWD, but not with demographics, anthropometrics or stages of disease. Using this tool, we found that patients with COPD spent longer time awake and in sedentary behavior. The MaDA may be useful to evaluate PA in patients with COPD