Economic burden of short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) overuse among asthma patients in Türkiye: a cost analysis with respect to the updated GINA treatment recommendations.

Background: This cost of illness study aimed to determine economic burden of short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) overuse in Türkiye from payer perspective with respect to the updated GINA 2022 treatment recommendations.

Methods: A total of 3,034,879 asthma patients comprised the study population, via estimations extrapolated from the Türkiye arm of the global SABINA III study. The economic burden (costs related to the drug use and severe exacerbations) was compared in subgroups of overall (≥ 0 canisters/year) vs.

Successful case of deferasirox slow desensitization in adults.

Introduction: When deferasirox is used in iron chelation therapy, maculopapular rash occurs in 10% of patients, but there is no accepted and implemented protocol for the management of these drug reactions in adults.

Case Report: A 23-year-old woman diagnosed with thalassemia major is presented. She had taken 1,500 mg oral deferasirox for 1 week.

Demographic and Asthma-Related Characteristics of Asthmatics Using Pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers and Dry Powder Inhalers.

Asthma controller medications can be delivered via pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) or dry powder inhaler (DPI) devices. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of exacerbations and satisfaction rate with device use in asthmatics using pMDIs or DPIs. A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted in adults who used pMDIs or DPIs with correct inhaler technique and good adherence for asthma treatment.

The long-term outcomes of mepolizumab treatment at 100 mg dose on idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia: A real-life experience.

The standard therapeutic regimen for idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (ICEP) involves the administration of oral corticosteroids (OCS). However, a notable proportion of individuals experience recurrent episodes after the tapering or cessation of OCS during the course of ICEP. There has been a growing interest in exploring alternative treatment modalities for patients with ICEP at heightened risk of relapse.

Results of omalizumab treatment in chronic eosinophilic pneumonia: Real-life data.

Introduction: Recurrences occur when corticosteroid therapy is discontinued or reduced during the treatment of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP). The probability of recurrence is once in 50% of patients and twice or more in 25%. In such instances, new treatment options are deemed necessary.

What is the Best Way to Diagnose Possible Asthma Patients with Negative Bronchodilator Reversibility Tests?

Objective: The best method and strategy for the diagnosis of asthma remains unclear, especially in patients with negative bronchodilator reversibility test (BDRT). In our study, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic yield of peak expiratory flow (PEF) variability for this patient group.

Methods: A total of 50 patients with suspected asthma, all with negative BDR test, were included in the study.

Hypersensitivity reactions with first-line antituberculosis drugs and outcomes of rapid desensitizations.

Background: Data about drug hypersensitivity reactions with first-line antituberculosis drugs and their management is limited. Rapid drug desensitization seems to be an appropriate management.

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy of the rapid desensitization protocols in patients who had a reaction phenotypically compatible with immediate-type drug hypersensitivity with first-line antituberculosis drugs and identify possible risk factors of breakthrough reactions during the protocols.

Characteristics of adverse reactions due to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy applied between 2011-2021: Single center experience.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to elucidate the incidence of local, large local and systemic reactions after subcutaneus immunotherapy (SCIT) injections in our clinic and to determine the characteristic features of these adverse reactions.

Materials And Methods: A total of 6000 SCIT injections administered to 163 patients between January 2011 and December 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. The study population consisted of patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis who underwent SCIT due to pollen, house dust mite or cat allergy, or patients who underwent SCIT due to venom allergy.

Rapid drug desensitization to taxanes: a descriptive study from Turkey.

Aim: To present the characteristics of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) among taxane recipients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), and to describe the results of rapid drug desensitization (RDD).

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study included 45 patients who were treated with taxane for NSCLC and were found to be hypersensitive to taxane. All patients were administered the standard 3-bag, 12-step RDD protocol following the development of DHR.

Platin desensitizations in thoracic malignancies and risk factors for breakthrough reactions.

Although platin desensitization is a safe and effective alternative for patients with hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), sometimes breakthrough reactions (BTRs) can be encountered. However, data about the risk factors for BTRs are limited. The aim of this study is to define the outcomes of desensitization, the characteristics of BTRs, and to identify the risk factors for BTRs with platins in thoracic malignancies.

Overprescription of short-acting β-agonists is associated with poor asthma symptom control: results from five Middle Eastern countries included in the SABINA International (III) study.

Background: Although short-acting β-agonist (SABA) overuse is associated with poor treatment outcomes, data on SABA use in the Middle East are lacking.

Research Design And Methods: In this cross-sectional study in patients (aged ≥12 years) with asthma, data on disease characteristics and asthma treatments were collected from the Middle Eastern cohort of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study. Patients were classified by investigator-defined asthma severity and practice type.

Expert Opinion on Practice Patterns in Mild Asthma After the GINA 2019 Updates: A Major Shift in Treatment Paradigms from a Long-Standing SABA-Only Approach to a Risk Reduction-Based Strategy with the Use of Symptom-Driven (As-Needed) Low-Dose ICS/LABA.

Purpose Of Review: This expert opinion, prepared by a panel of chest disease specialists, aims to review the current knowledge on practice patterns in real-life management of mild asthma and to address the relevant updates in asthma treatment by The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to guide clinicians for the best clinical practice in applying these new treatment paradigms.

Recent Findings: On the basis of the emerging body of evidence suggesting the non-safety of short-acting β2-agonists (SABA)-only therapy and comparable efficacy of the as-needed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)-formoterol combinations with maintenance ICS regimens, GINA recently released their updated Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention Guide (2019). The new GINA 2019 recommendations no longer support the SABA-only therapy in mild asthma but instead includes new off-label recommendations such as symptom-driven (as-needed) low-dose ICS-formoterol and "low dose ICS taken whenever SABA is taken.

Short-acting β-agonist prescription patterns in patients with asthma in Turkey: results from SABINA III.

Background: Over-reliance on short-acting β-agonists (SABAs) is associated with poor asthma outcomes. However, the extent of SABA use in Turkey is unclear owing to a lack of comprehensive healthcare databases. Here, we describe the demographics, disease characteristics and treatment patterns from the Turkish cohort of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study.

Challenges and recommendations for the management of asthma in the Middle East and Africa.

Clinical presentation of asthma is variable, and its diagnosis can be a major challenge in routine health-care practice, especially in low-and-middle-income countries. The aim of asthma management is to achieve optimal asthma control and to reduce the risk of asthma exacerbations and mortality. In the Middle East and in Africa (MEA), several patient- and physician-related factors lead to misdiagnosis and suboptimal management of asthma.

Successful desensitization under antihistamine suppression in a case with urticaria due to osimertinib.

Introduction: Osimertinib is an approved therapy for patients with a Thr790met (T790M) mutation diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that progresses during epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) therapy. However, in 7-13% of patients, drug-related side effects lead to discontinuation of osimertinib treatment. In such cases, osimertinib desensitization is a treatment option that can be considered.

COVID-19 in patients with severe asthma using biological agents.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, case reports have been published where patients with severe asthma using biological agents survived with a mild course of illness and encouraged the continuation of biological therapies in patients with severe asthma. However, contrary to previous information, a more severe course of COVID-19 has recently been reported in severe asthmatics using biological therapy compared to the general population. To evaluate the COVID-19 rate and disease severity in severe asthmatics using biological agents.

[Mycobacterium abscessus infection management: Macrolide and quinolone desensitization].

Antibiotic hypersensitivity reactions can lead to marked morbidity, mortality and inadequate treatment options. Mycobacterium abscessus infection is a difficult management system for clinicians since it most commonly involves the lungs, progresses if untreated, and the organism is resistant to many antibiotics, as well as the agents used in treatment can cause undesirable side effects. Although macrolides are one of the most reliable antibiotic groups in terms of allergic reactions, early type hypersensitivity reactions against macrolides, one of the main antibiotics used in the treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease, may make the treatment management of the disease difficult.

Clinician's perspective regarding medication adherence in patients with obstructive lung diseases and the impact of COVID-19.

Objective: Failure to achieve high levels of medication adherence in obstructive lung diseases is a major cause of uncontrolled disease. The purpose of this study is to reveal clinicians' opinions on the level of patient adherence and the change in adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A questionnaire containing multiple-choice questions about treatment adherence in patients with obstructive lung diseases was voluntarily applied to doctors working in a tertiary hospital for chest diseases.

Real-life adherence to subcutaneous immunotherapy: What has changed in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) must be continued for 3 years, to achieve a long-term modifying effect. Adherence is a key to ensure effectiveness. The objective of this study was, first of all, to evaluate the adherence with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and to identify the main causes of SCIT withdrawal in real-life practice in our clinic.

COVID-19 in a patient with severe asthma using mepolizumab.

There is a lack of information about the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with severe asthma who were treated with biologics. Some reports indicated that treatment with benralizumab, dupilumab, and omalizumab in patients with severe asthma was not associated with significant adverse effects during COVID-19. Asthma itself or the biologic agents used to treat asthma can have a positive effect on the course of COVID-19.

Identification of Risk Factors and Cross-Reactivity of Local Anesthetics Hypersensitivity: Analysis of 14-Years' Experience.

Purpose: Local anesthetics (LA) are widely used and adverse drug reactions (ADR) occur in 2.5-10%, but hypersensitivity reactions are rare (ranging between 0% and 4.3%).

Obstructive sleep apnea is a determinant of asthma control independent of smoking, reflux, and rhinitis.

Asthma control is defined as to what extent manifestations of asthma can be observed in a patient or have been reduced or removed by treatment. Regular use of asthma treatments, correct inhaler technique, adequate information provided about the patient's diseases and medicines, and patient-clinician collaboration aid asthma control. Asthma shares risk factors and links in the pathogenesis with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and OSA may aggravate asthma symptoms.

[What is the role of montelukast in asthma treatment?].

Asthma is a common chronic pulmonary disease worldwide. Inhaled glucocorticoids are the most effective therapeutic agents in treatment of asthma and are therefore the first drug of choice in asthma treatment. Antileukotrienes are alternative controller drugs in management of asthma especially in patients who cannot use inhaled glucocorticoids effectively due to compliance problems or poor inhaler techniques.

Rare atopy in COVID-19 patients or COVID-19 famine in atopic patients?

Background: There are conflicting results in the literature regarding the frequency of allergic diseases in COVID-19 patients. The effect of having an allergic disease on COVID-19 disease severity has been little studied.

Purpose: In this study, we tried to determine the frequency of allergic diseases in COVID-19 patients and the effect of having an allergic disease on COVID-19 disease severity.

Programmed death ligand-1 expression levels, clinicopathologic features, and survival in surgically resected sarcomatoid lung carcinoma.

Aim: To determine the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression rates in sarcomatoid lung carcinomas and to compare clinicopathologic features and survival rates of PD-L1-positive and negative patients.

Methods: PD-L1 expression was evaluated in 65 surgically resected sarcomatoid carcinomas. The clinicopathologic features of cases with PD-L1-positive and negative tumors were compared.