Real-World Effectiveness of Reslizumab in Patients With Severe Eosinophilic Asthma - First Initiators and Switchers.

Background: Reslizumab, a biologic targeting IL-5, has been shown to reduce asthma exacerbations and maintenance oral corticosteroid use in randomized controlled trials and pre-post studies in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. However, real-world effectiveness data of reslizumab are scarce, and it is unknown whether reslizumab has added value after switching from another type 2 biologic.

Objective: To evaluate (1) the real-world effectiveness of reslizumab on severe asthma exacerbations, maintenance oral corticosteroid use, and overall treatment response, both in biologic-naive patients who initiated reslizumab and in those who switched from another type 2 biologic; and (2) physicians' experience with reslizumab treatment.

Diaphragm dysfunction prior to intubation in a patient with Covid-19 pneumonia; assessment by point of care ultrasound and potential implications for patient monitoring.

The clinical research described in this case report was initiated because of the recognized need for early identification of Covid-19 patients at risk of respiratory failure. We used point of care ultrasound to identify diaphragm dysfunction in a spontaneously breathing Covid-19 patient. Measurements of diaphragm thickness and thickening fraction indicated diaphragm dysfunction prior to intubation while respiratory failure was not yet evident from arterial blood gas analysis.