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.

Nailfold capillaroscopy and candidate-biomarker levels in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary hypertension: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Pulmonary hypertension is one of the leading causes of death in systemic sclerosis. Early detection and treatment of pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis is crucial. Nailfold capillaroscopy microscopy, vascular autoantibodies AT1R and ETAR, and several candidate-biomarkers have the potential to serve as noninvasive tools to identify systemic sclerosis patients at risk for developing pulmonary hypertension.

Gallium-68 labelled RGD PET/CT imaging of endothelial activation in COVID-19 patients.

In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), endothelial cells play a central role and an inadequate response is associated with vascular complications. PET imaging with gallium-68 labelled RGD-peptide (Ga-RGD) targets αβ integrin expression which allows quantification of endothelial activation. In this single-center, prospective observational study, we included ten hospitalized patients with COVID-19 between October 2020 and January 2021.

Presence of Genetic Variants Among Young Men With Severe COVID-19.

Importance: Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can occur in younger, predominantly male, patients without preexisting medical conditions. Some individuals may have primary immunodeficiencies that predispose to severe infections caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Objective: To explore the presence of genetic variants associated with primary immunodeficiencies among young patients with COVID-19.

[Chest pain and dyspnea during the recovery period of COVID-19 pneumonia].

A 31-year-old non-smoking male patient admitted with and intubated for COVID-19 pneumonia experienced acute chest pain and dyspnea during his recovery period. He was diagnosed with a pneumothorax based on major bullae formation due to COVID-19. The bullae were not visible after extubation and developed rapidly within a few days.

[Respiratory complications in early elective caesarean section].

Two neonates were born via elective caesarean section, after 38 2/7 and 38 0/7 weeks of gestation, respectively. They developed serious respiratory complications: a pneumothorax and respiratory insufficiency, respectively, for which they were transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit and were mechanically ventilated. If a caesarean section is performed before 39 0/7 weeks of gestation, the risk of respiratory complications, such as idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome or wet lung disease, is increased.

Limitations of questioning asthma to assess asthma control in general practice.

Background: The monitoring of children with asthma in primary care is based on the occurrence and frequency of asthma symptoms. We questioned whether the current approach is adequate to identify all children in whom a sufficient level of asthma control is not achieved.

Aim: The aim of this study is to illustrate that in some children asthma was incorrectly considered controlled, because the children failed to report current symptoms of asthma.

Implementation of an asthma guideline for the management of childhood asthma in general practice: a randomised controlled trial.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess, in a randomised, controlled design, the efficacy of different strategies to improve childhood asthma management.

Method: Three interventions directed to three groups of general practitioners were compared: Group A - dissemination of a guideline; Group B - guideline dissemination plus an educational session; Group C - guideline dissemination, educational session, plus individualised treatment advice based on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and symptoms. Efficacy of the three strategies was assessed by evaluating change in AHR in 362 children after one year.

Assessment of inhalation technique in children in general practice: increased risk of incorrect performance with new device.

In a general practice based population 76% of 530 children inhaling asthma medication inhaled correctly. However, important differences among inhalers were found. Children with a pressurized metered-dose inhaler without a spacer device performed worst, with only 22% inhaling without essential errors.

Validation of a single concentration methacholine inhalation provocation test (SCIPT) in children.

A new method to assess bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) using a single concentration methacholine has already been validated in adults with asthma. Because the geometrical dimensions of the airways in children are different, the results from studies in adults cannot be extrapolated to children. In this study, we validated the single concentration methacholine inhalation provocation test (SCIPT) in children.

What general practitioners and paediatricians think about their patients' asthma.

The Asthma Insight and Reality in Europe (AIRE) study showed that the current management and treatment of asthma in Europe falls short of the goals set in the GINA guidelines. Patient care may be negatively influenced by the physicians' underestimation of their patients' disease state, and overestimation of their patients' knowledge of asthma management. We interviewed 118 paediatricians and 152 general practitioners (response rate 70 and 86%, respectively) in order to get an insight into the physicians view on his patients' asthma management.