Basic Bronchoscopy Competence Achieved by a Nationwide One-day Simulation-based Training.

Background: In 2020, a mandatory, nationwide 1-day bronchoscopy simulation-based training (SBT) course was implemented for novice pulmonology residents in the Netherlands. This pretest-posttest study was the first to evaluate the effectiveness of such a nationwide course in improving residents' simulated basic bronchoscopy skills.

Methods: After passing a theoretical test, residents followed a 1-day SBT course, available in 7 centers, where they practiced their bronchoscopy skills step-by-step on a virtual reality simulator under pulmonologist supervision.

Diagnosing Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Exhaled Breath Profiling Using an Electronic Nose: A Multicenter Validation Study.

Background: Despite the potential of exhaled breath analysis of volatile organic compounds to diagnose lung cancer, clinical implementation has not been realized, partly due to the lack of validation studies.

Research Question: This study addressed two questions. First, can we simultaneously train and validate a prediction model to distinguish patients with non-small cell lung cancer from non-lung cancer subjects based on exhaled breath patterns? Second, does addition of clinical variables to exhaled breath data improve the diagnosis of lung cancer?

Study Design And Methods: In this multicenter study, subjects with non-small cell lung cancer and control subjects performed 5 min of tidal breathing through the aeoNose, a handheld electronic nose device.

Predicting Mortality in COPD with Validated and Sensitive Biomarkers; Fibrinogen and Mid-Range-Proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM).

Although fibrinogen is a FDA qualified prognostic biomarker in COPD, it still lacks sufficient resolution to be clinically useful. Next to replication of findings in different cohorts also the combination with other validated biomarkers should be investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to confirm in a large well-defined population of COPD patients whether fibrinogen can predict mortality and whether a combination with the biomarker MR-proADM can increase prognostic accuracy.

Stability in eosinophil categorisation during subsequent severe exacerbations of COPD.

Background: The blood eosinophil count has been shown to be a promising biomarker for establishing personalised treatment strategies to reduce corticosteroid use, either inhaled or systemic, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Eosinophil levels seem relatively stable over time in stable state, but little is known whether this is also true in subsequent severe acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD).

Aims And Objectives: To determine the stability in eosinophil categorisation between two subsequent severe AECOPDs employing frequently used cut-off levels.

Improving lung cancer diagnosis by combining exhaled-breath data and clinical parameters.

Introduction: Exhaled-breath analysis of volatile organic compounds could detect lung cancer earlier, possibly leading to improved outcomes. Combining exhaled-breath data with clinical parameters may improve lung cancer diagnosis.

Methods: Based on data from a previous multi-centre study, this article reports additional analyses.

Stable-State Midrange Proadrenomedullin Is Associated With Severe Exacerbations in COPD.

Background: Elevated levels of midrange proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) are associated with worse outcome in different diseases, including COPD. The association of stable-state MR-proADM with severe acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPDs) requiring hospitalization, or with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in patients with COPD, has not been studied yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of stable-state MR-proADM with severe AECOPD and CAP in patients with COPD.

Statins and morbidity and mortality in COPD in the COMIC study: a prospective COPD cohort study.

Background: Both chronic inflammation and cardiovascular comorbidity play an important role in the morbidity and mortality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Statins could be a potential adjunct therapy. The additional effects of statins in COPD are, however, still under discussion.