Factors Affecting Best-Tolerated Dose of Pirfenidone in Patients with Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease.

The aim of the study was to examine the best-tolerated dose of pirfenidone, the adverse effects profile, and potential factors other than drug dose influencing the tolerability of pirfenidone in patients with fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). We performed an observational retrospective study of 113 patients with IPF and other fibrosing ILDs treated with pirfenidone. Baseline liver function tests (LFTs) and dose escalation of pirfenidone were recorded for all patients.

[Interventionen beim Asthma COPD].

Advanced emphysema and asthma constitute major health burden worldwide and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Pharmacological options are limited. Researches are being carried out aiming to modify the natural course of both the diseases.

Factors affecting outcomes of individualised treatment for drug resistant tuberculosis in an endemic region.

Background: Individualised treatment regimens for drug resistant tuberculosis have improved outcomes. This retrospective observational study examined potential factors that affect individualised treatment in an endemic region, and highlighted predictors of a successful outcome.

Methods: We examined records of proven MDR, pre-XDR and XDR TB patients diagnosed and started on treatment between 2010 and 2014, and collected the following data for each patient: age, gender, comorbidities, past history of TB, diagnosis, site of disease, drug susceptibility testing (DST) results, treatment, adverse reactions to anti-tubercular drugs, treatment changes and outcomes, which were recorded as positive, negative or neutral.

Combined pirfenidone, azithromycin and prednisolone in post-H1N1 ARDS pulmonary fibrosis.

There are no specific data on the management of pulmonary fibrosis post-H1N1 ARDS. We present the cases of three patients who responded positively to treatment with pirfenidone, azithromycin and prednisolone. Three males, aged 40, 45 and 59 years, had H1N1 ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation for two weeks or longer.

Inconsistency in the reporting of antitubercular drug susceptibility tests in an endemic region.

Background: Individualized treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is associated with improved outcomes. Therapy needs to be tailored to drug susceptibility testing (DST) results. We present our observations on the inconsistency in DST reporting in an endemic region with a high prevalence of MDR TB.

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy in malignancy: metastatic or granulomatous?

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with malignancy may not be always metastatic disease. We present three patients with proven thoracic or extra thoracic malignancies with mediastinal lymphadenopathy which were subsequently proven as granulomatous lymphadenitis by endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). The objective of the current report is to emphasise that granulomatous lymphadenitis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in such patients especially in tuberculosis endemic countries like India.