Cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Evaluation and management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a most common progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) of unknown etiology, although majority of patients are elderly male smokers. The main pathogenesis is aberrant recovery of epithelial injury and collagen deposition. Fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, connective tissue disease (CTD) especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated ILD, and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonia(CHP) are important differential diagnosis. Main symptoms are non-productive cough and progressive exertional dyspnea. Crucial physical findings are scalene muscle hypertrophy, bibasilar fine crackles, and finger clubbing. The serum markers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) are sensitive for ILD detection and activity. Both pulmonary function test (PFT) and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) are useful tool for evaluation of disease progression of IPF. Serial changes of forced vital capacity (FVC) and 6MWT distance predict mortality in IPF effectively. Recently published international IPF guidelines highlight the importance of chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings such as honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis (TBE), and sub-pleural reticular opacity. IPF is chronic and progressive; therefore, tracking disease behavior is crucial. Unifying clinical, physiological, and imaging information over time is useful. With regard to its management, two anti-fibrotic drugs such as pirfenidone and nintedanib have been available. These drugs can slow the decline of FVC and prevent acute exacerbation (AE). In this review, I outline the clinical characteristics of IPF, physiological, imaging, pathological findings and review diagnosis process and management.

Increased expression of lung TRPV1/TRPA1 in a cough model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in Guinea pigs

Background

Chronic cough is a difficult-to-treat comorbidity of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and significantly impacts on the quality of life of patients with IPF. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channel proteins may play an important role in chronic cough. However, expression of these proteins in lung of IPF is largely unknown.

Methods

Guinea pig model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by single intratracheal delivery of bleomycin. Respiratory ungated micro-CT scans were performed on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 to assess progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Cough sensitivity to capsaicin was evaluated in conscious animals on days 13 and 27. Real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry were employed to measure expression of TRPV1 and TRPA1 in lung tissue.

Results

Micro-CT showed that lung consolidation was detectable from day 7 distributing mainly in the middle and lower lung fields, which was significantly correlated to Ashcroft fibrosis score (r = 0.7993, p < 0.001). Cough sensitivity to capsaicin in bleomycin-treated animals was significantly increased on days 13 and 27. qPCR showed that expression of TRPV1 and TRPA1 was positively correlated each other and significantly upregulated in lung tissues of model group compared with that of controls, which was further supported by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, immunoreactivity for TRPV1 and TRPA1 was negatively correlated with Ashcroft fibrosis score.

Conclusion

Expression of TRPV1/TRPA1 was upregulated in the chronic cough related to bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis in guinea pigs, which provided new insights into the mechanism of IPF-associated cough hypersensitivity. Micro-CT is very helpful methodology to access pulmonary fibrosis progression in small animal models.

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of omeprazole in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background

Cough is a common, disabling symptom of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which may be exacerbated by acid reflux. Inhibiting gastric acid secretion could potentially reduce cough. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of a larger, multicentre trial of omeprazole for cough in IPF, to assess safety and to quantify cough.

Methods

Single-centre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) omeprazole (20 mg twice daily for 3 months) in patients with IPF. Primary objectives were to assess feasibility and acceptability of trial procedures. The primary clinical outcome was cough frequency.

Results

Forty-five participants were randomised (23 to omeprazole, 22 to placebo), with 40 (20 in each group) having cough monitoring before and after treatment. 280 patients were screened to yield these numbers, with barriers to discontinuing antacids the single biggest reason for non-recruitment. Recruitment averaged 1.5 participants per month. Geometric mean cough frequency at the end of treatment, adjusted for baseline, was 39.1% lower (95% CI 66.0% lower to 9.3% higher) in the omeprazole group compared with placebo. Omeprazole was well tolerated and adverse event profiles were similar in both groups, although there was a small excess of lower respiratory tract infection and a small fall in forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity associated with omeprazole.

Conclusions

A large randomised controlled trial of PPIs for cough in IPF appears feasible and justified but should address barriers to randomisation and incorporate safety assessments in relation to respiratory infection and changes in lung function.

Collecting patient preference information using a Clinical Data Research Network: demonstrating feasibility with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Purpose: Rare diseases present challenges for accessing patient populations to conduct surveys. Clinical Data Research Networks (CDRNs) offer an opportunity to overcome those challenges by providing infrastructure for accessing patients and sharing data. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting patient preference information for a rare disease in a CDRN, using idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as proof of concept. Patients and methods: Utilizing a cohort of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients across a CDRN, a discrete choice experiment was administered via electronic and paper methods to collect patient preference information about benefits and risks of two therapeutic options. Survey data were augmented with data from electronic health records and patient-reported outcome surveys. Results: Thirty-three patients completed the preference experiment. The amount of choice attributable to a benefit of slowing of decline in lung function was 36%. Improving efficacy in terms of lung function was 2.16 times as important as improving efficacy in terms of shortness of breath. In terms of side effects, decreasing risk of gastrointestinal problems was 2.6 times as important as decreasing risk of sun sensitivity and 2.4 times as important as decreasing risk of liver injury. In terms of benefit-risk trade-offs, improving efficacy in terms of lung function was 1.6 times as important as decreasing risk of gastrointestinal problems. Conclusion: This study used IPF as a proof of concept to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting patient preference information in a CDRN. The network was advantageous to the study of patient preferences. Future research should continue to explore pathways for the collection and use of patient preference information across networks. The power of consolidated collection efforts may lead to the ability to use preference data to inform decision-making at the regional, specialty, or individual encounter level.

The pathogenetic mechanisms of cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a peripheral subpleural interstitial lung disorder limited to the lung not involving the airways. It has a poor prognosis (survival less than 5 years) and commonly an interstitial pneumonia radiological pattern. Patients complain of a chronic dry cough in 80% of cases. A cough is often the first symptom of this rare disease, preceding dyspnea by years, and is associated with a poor prognosis, high dyspnea scores and low FVC percentages. The pathogenetic mechanisms leading to coughing in IPF are unclear. This review focuses on recent evidence of cough pathophysiology in this disease. Gastroesophageal reflux may promote coughing in IPF patients; bile salts and pepsin may be abundant in BAL of these patients, inducing overproduction of TGF-β by airway epithelial cells and mesenchymal transition with fibroblast recruitment/activation and extracellular matrix deposition. Patients have an enhanced cough reflex to capsaicin and substance P with respect to control subjects. Moreover, patients with the MUC5B polymorphism show more severe coughing as MUC5B encodes for the dominant mucin in the honeycomb cysts of IPF patients. Comorbidities, including asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, can induce coughing in IPF patients. There is no clear explanation of the causes of coughing in IPF. Further research into the pathophysiology of IPF and the pathogenetic mechanisms of coughing is necessary to improve survival and quality of life.

Baseline clinical characteristics, comorbidities and prescribed medication in a real-world population of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: the PROOF registry

Introduction

PROOF (a Prospective Observational Registry to Describe the Disease Course and Outcomes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) is an ongoing, observational registry initiated in 2013 with the aim of collecting real-world data from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Here, we present comprehensive baseline data, which were collected from patients on registry inclusion.

Methods

Patients with IPF were enrolled across eight centres in Belgium and Luxembourg. Baseline data collected included demographics, diagnostic information and clinical characteristics, including lung function and health-related quality of life. Data on comorbidities and prescribed medication were also collected.

Results

A total of 277 patients were enrolled in the PROOF registry. At inclusion, 92.8% and 6.5% of patients had a definite or probable diagnosis of IPF, respectively. Mean per cent predicted forced vital capacity and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity were 80.6% and 46.9%, respectively. Mean St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire total score was 47.0, and mean Cough-Visual Analogue Scale score was 30.5 mm. The most prevalent comorbidities reported at inclusion were gastrointestinal disorders (50.2%), including gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (47.3%) and metabolism and nutrition disorders (39.7%). At inclusion, 67.2% and 2.2% of patients were prescribed pirfenidone and nintedanib, respectively, with treatment initiated either prior to, or at the time of, inclusion. Medication prescribed concomitantly with pirfenidone included antihypertensives (54.8%), statins (37.1%) and prophylactic antithrombotics/anticoagulants (36.6%).

Conclusion

The PROOF registry provides valuable demographic and clinical data from a real-world population of patients with IPF in Belgium and Luxembourg, demonstrating the high burden of comorbidities and prescribed medication in these patients. Longitudinal data from this patient population will be investigated in future analyses.

Trial registration

PROOF is registered with the relevant authorities in Belgium and Luxembourg, with registration to Comité National d’Éthique et de Recherché (CNER) N201309/03 – 12 September 2013 and a notification to Comité National de Protection des Données (CNDP).

Impact of novel antifibrotic therapy on patient outcomes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: patient selection and perspectives

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable, progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease, suffer an impaired quality of life due to symptoms, resultant functional limitations, and the constraints of supplemental oxygen. Two antifibrotic medications, nintedanib and pirfenidone, are approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Both medications slow the rate of decline of lung function, but their effect on patient-reported outcomes is not yet fully understood. Nintedanib may slow the decline in health-related quality of life for treated patients. Pirfenidone may slow the progression of dyspnea and improve cough. Patients and providers should participate in shared decision-making when starting antifibrotic therapy, taking into consideration the benefits of treatment in addition to drug-related side effects and dosing schedules. Although antifibrotic therapy may have an impact on health-related quality of life, providers should also focus on comprehensive care of the patient to improve health-related outcomes. This includes a multidisciplinary evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of comorbid medical conditions, and referral to and participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Classification of Tidal Breathing Airflow Profiles Using Statistical Hierarchal Cluster Analysis in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) breathing pattern changes with disease progress. This study aims to determine if unsupervised hierarchal cluster analysis (HCA) can be used to define airflow profile differences in people with and without IPF. This was tested using 31 patients with IPF and 17 matched healthy controls, all of whom had their lung function assessed using spirometry and carbon monoxide CO transfer. A resting tidal breathing (RTB) trace of two minutes duration was collected at the same time. A Euclidian distance technique was used to perform HCA on the airflow data. Four distinct clusters were found, with the majority (18 of 21, 86%) of the severest IPF participants (Stage 2 and 3) being in two clusters. The participants in these clusters exhibited a distinct minute ventilation (p < 0.05), compared to the other two clusters. The respiratory drive was greatest in Cluster 1, which contained many of the IPF participants. Unstructured HCA was successful in recognising different airflow profiles, clustering according to differences in flow rather than time. HCA showed that there is an overlap in tidal airflow profiles between healthy RTB and those with IPF. The further application of HCA in recognising other respiratory disease is discussed.

Novel management strategies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatment was revolutionized by the advent of two novel antifibrotics, nintedanib and pirfenidone. However, neither is a panacea and other agents are still sorely needed. This review presents on-going efforts to improve outcomes for patients with IPF by targeting novel pharmacologic pathways, improving comorbidity management, and aiming for improved quality of life. Areas covered: We provide an overview of on-going basic and clinical science efforts focused on development of additional drug therapies for patients with IPF. Known and emerging pathogenic pathways such as the microbiome and pulmonary vasculature hold promise as targets for therapy. While the focus remains on pharmacologic intervention, the impact of comorbidities and their management may also impact patient outcomes significantly. Supportive care with pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and palliative care remain integral at various stages of the disease course. Finally, lung transplant is the only lifesaving intervention for patients with end-stage fibrosis. Expert commentary: Future investigation should aim to prevent the initial insult or injury that engages the multiple pathways associated with the development and progression of IPF. Targeted therapies represent just one management aspect with a multidisciplinary approach necessary for the global holistic care of these complex patients.

Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease Associated Cough: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report

BACKGROUND

Chronic cough in interstitial lung disease (ILD) causes significant impairment in quality of life. Effective treatment approaches are needed for cough associated with ILD.

METHODS

This systematic review asked: Is there evidence of clinically relevant treatment effects for therapies for cough in ILD? Studies of adults aged > 18 years with a chronic cough ≥ 8 weeks' duration were included and assessed for relevance and quality. Based on the systematic review, guideline suggestions were developed and voted on by using CHEST guideline methodology.

RESULTS

Eight randomized controlled trials and two case series (≥ 10 patients) were included that reported data on patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, and scleroderma-related ILD who received a variety of interventions. Study quality was high in all eight randomized controlled trials. Inhaled corticosteroids were not supported for cough associated with sarcoidosis. Cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate were not supported for solely treating cough associated with scleroderma-associated ILD. A recommendation for thalidomide to treat cough associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis did not pass the panel vote. In view of the paucity of antitussive treatment options for refractory cough in ILD, the guideline panel suggested that the CHEST unexplained chronic cough guideline be followed by considering options such as the neuromodulator gabapentin and speech pathology management. Opiates were also suggested for patients with cough refractory to alternative therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence supporting the management of chronic cough in ILD is limited. This guideline presents suggestions for managing and treating cough on the best available evidence, but future research is clearly needed.

The Management of Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common form of fibrosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, is an inexorably progressive disease with a 5-year survival of ~20%. In the last decade, our understanding of disease pathobiology has increased significantly and this has inevitably impacted on the approach to treatment. Indeed, the paradigm shift from a chronic inflammatory disorder to a primarily fibrotic one coupled with a more precise disease definition and redefined diagnostic criteria have resulted in a massive increase in the number of clinical trials evaluating novel candidate drugs. Most of these trials, however, have been negative, probably because of the multitude and redundancy of cell types, growth factors and profibrotic pathways involved in disease pathogenesis. As a consequence, until recently IPF has lacked effective therapies. Finally, in 2014, two large phase 3 clinical trials have provided robust evidence that pirfenidone, a compound with anti-fibrotic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and nintedanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with selectivity for vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor receptors are able to slow down functional decline and disease progression with an acceptable safety profile. While this is a major achievement, neither pirfenidone nor nintedanib cures IPF and most patients continue to experience disease progression and/or exacerbation despite treatment. Therefore, in recent years increasingly more attention has been paid to preservation of quality of life and, in the advanced phase of the disease, palliation of symptoms. Lung transplantation, the only curative treatment, remains a viable option for only a minority of highly selected patients. The unmet medical need in IPF remains high, and more efficacious and better tolerated drugs are urgently needed. However, a truly effective therapeutic approach should also address quality of life and highly prevalent concomitant conditions and complications of IPF.

Palliative care and interstitial lung disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The palliative care needs of people with interstitial lung disease (ILD) have recently been highlighted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. All people with progressive ILD should receive best supportive care to improve symptom control and quality of life and where possible this should be evidence based.

RECENT FINDINGS

Deaths from ILD are increasing and deaths in hospital are more common compared to home. People with ILD experience a wide range of symptoms including breathlessness and cough. People living with ILD often suffer unmet physical and psychological needs throughout the disease journey. Few appropriately validated outcome measures exist for ILD which has hampered research on the longitudinal experience of symptoms and quality of life and the evaluation of interventions. Recent recommendations from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence promote the use of a new palliative care needs assessment tool. Use of a tool in busy respiratory clinics may help to highlight those requiring specialist input.

SUMMARY

Further research into the role of opioids, oxygen and neuromodulatory agents in symptom management are needed. In addition, exploration of breathlessness and case conference interventions in transitioning patients from the hospital to community settings is a priority. Further work is needed to identify a core set of validated ILD-specific patient-reported outcome measures for the robust evaluation of interventions.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A guide for nurse practitioners

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rare disease characterized by decline in lung function, dyspnea, and cough. The clinical course of IPF is variable and unpredictable. Early referral to specialists is key to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis. Two antifibrotic drugs (nintedanib and pirfenidone) have been approved for the treatment of IPF.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rare disease characterized by decline in lung function, dyspnea, and cough. The clinical course of IPF is variable and unpredictable. Early referral to specialists is key to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis. Two antifibrotic drugs (nintedanib and pirfenidone) have been approved for the treatment of IPF.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: pathogenesis and management

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by the aberrant accumulation of fibrotic tissue in the lungs parenchyma, associated with significant morbidity and poor prognosis. This review will present the substantial advances achieved in the understanding of IPF pathogenesis and in the therapeutic options that can be offered to patients, and will address the issues regarding diagnosis and management that are still open.

Main body

Over the last two decades much has been clarified about the pathogenic pathways underlying the development and progression of the lung scarring in IPF. Sustained alveolar epithelial micro-injury and activation has been recognised as the trigger of several biological events of disordered repair occurring in genetically susceptible ageing individuals. Despite multidisciplinary team discussion has demonstrated to increase diagnostic accuracy, patients can still remain unclassified when the current diagnostic criteria are strictly applied, requiring the identification of a Usual Interstitial Pattern either on high-resolution computed tomography scan or lung biopsy.

Outstanding achievements have been made in the management of these patients, as nintedanib and pirfenidone consistently proved to reduce the rate of progression of the fibrotic process. However, many uncertainties still lie in the correct use of these drugs, ranging from the initial choice of the drug, the appropriate timing for treatment and the benefit-risk ratio of a combined treatment regimen. Several novel compounds are being developed in the perspective of a more targeted therapeutic approach; in the meantime, the supportive care of these patients and their carers should be appropriately prioritized, and greater efforts should be made toward the prompt identification and management of relevant comorbidities.

Conclusions

Building on the advances in the understanding of IPF pathobiology, the further investigation of the role of gene variants, epigenetic alterations and other molecular biomarkers reflecting disease activity and behaviour will hopefully enable earlier and more confident diagnosis, improve disease phenotyping and support the development of novel agents for personalized treatment of IPF.

Best supportive care for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: current gaps and future directions

Best supportive care (BSC) is generally defined as all the interventions and the multiprofessional approach aimed to improve and optimise quality of life (QoL) in patients affected by progressive diseases. In this sense, it excludes and might be complementary to other interventions directly targeting the disease. BSC improves survival in patients with different types of cancer. Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) experience a vast range of symptoms during the natural history of the disease and might have a beneficial effect of BSC interventions. This review highlights the current evidence on interventions targeting QoL and gaps for the clinical assessment of BSC in the treatment of IPF patients. Very few interventions to improve QoL or improve symptom control are currently supported by well-designed studies. Sound methodology is paramount in evaluating BSC in IPF, as well as the use of validated tools to measure QoL and symptom control in this specific group of patients.

Cough and airway disease: The role of ion channels

Cough is the most common reason for patients to visit a primary care physician, yet it remains an unmet medical need. It can be idiopathic in nature but can also be a troublesome symptom across chronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Chronic cough affects up to 12% of the population and yet there are no safe and effective therapies. The cough reflex is regulated by vagal, sensory afferent nerves which innervate the airway. The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family of ion channels are expressed on sensory nerve terminals, and when activated can evoke cough. This review focuses on the role of 4 TRP channels; TRP Vannilloid 1 (TRPV1), TRP Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), TRP Vannilloid 4 (TRPV4) and TRP Melastatin 8 (TRPM8) and the purinergic P2X3 receptor and their possible role in chronic cough. We conclude that these ion channels, given their expression profile and their role in the activation of sensory afferents and the cough reflex, may represent excellent therapeutic targets for the treatment of respiratory symptoms in chronic lung disease.

Novel insights in cough and breathing patterns of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis performing repeated 24-hour-respiratory polygraphies

Background

The main symptoms of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are cough and dyspnea. IPF leads to a restrictive lung disorder impacting daytime and nocturnal breathing patterns. In this pilot study we assessed the course of day- and nighttime respiration, oxygenation, and cough over a period of 8 months as well as differences between wakefulness and sleep in IPF patients.

Methods

Repetitive 24-h respiratory polygraphies (RP) and pulmonary function tests were performed at baseline and after 3, 4, 7 and 8 months. Cough-index, oxygenation parameters (SpO2, time with SpO2 < 90%, desaturation index), respiratory rate and heart rate were assessed for differences between wakefulness and sleep. The first and the last RP were compared to identify changes of these parameters over time. Statistical analyses were performed with Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

Results

Nine IPF patients (8 male, median age 67 years (IQR 60, 77) with 37 valid 24-h RPs were included. Eight patients (88.9%) received antifibrotic treatment. Cough was more prevalent during wakefulness with a median cough-index of 14.8/h (IQR 10.9, 16.8) and 1.6/h (IQR 1.3–2.8) during sleep, p = 0.0039. Oxygenation parameters showed no difference, while respiratory- and heart rate were significantly higher during wakefulness. Despite stable pulmonary function tests over 8 months, the initially elevated respiratory rate increased further during wakefulness (baseline RR median 25.7/min (IQR 19.8, 26.6) vs. RR median 32.2/min (IQR 26.5, 40.9) at follow-up, p = 0.0273). The other respiratory parameters remained stable over time.

Conclusion

Cough in IPF patients is more prevalent during wakefulness than during sleep. Further studies with a larger sample size and longer a follow-up period are needed to evaluate the role of the respiratory rate during wakefulness as a potential clinical follow up parameter in IPF.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12931-017-0674-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a holistic approach to disease management in the antifibrotic age

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common cause of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and carries a worse prognosis than many cancers. Until recently, there were no active treatment options available for patients with IPF, meaning palliation or lung transplantation in selected patients were the only options. The management of IPF has changed dramatically over the last decade with the advent of two antifibrotic agents; pirfenidone and nintedanib. These new agents have been shown to reduce decline in lung function and pirfenidone has been shown to reduce mortality. The changing landscape of IPF diagnosis and management present a number of issues that may be encountered including management of side effects related to antifibrotic therapy. This article aims to give an overview of the holistic approach to the management of patients with IPF, including antifibrotic management, symptom management and the invaluable role of the ILD specialist nurse.

A novel formulation of inhaled sodium cromoglicate (PA101) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic cough: a randomised, double-blind, proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Cough can be a debilitating symptom of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is difficult to treat. PA101 is a novel formulation of sodium cromoglicate delivered via a high-efficiency eFlow nebuliser that achieves significantly higher drug deposition in the lung compared with the existing formulations. We aimed to test the efficacy and safety of inhaled PA101 in patients with IPF and chronic cough and, to explore the antitussive mechanism of PA101, patients with chronic idiopathic cough (CIC) were also studied.

METHODS

This pilot, proof-of-concept study consisted of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with IPF and chronic cough and a parallel study of similar design in patients with CIC. Participants with IPF and chronic cough recruited from seven centres in the UK and the Netherlands were randomly assigned (1:1, using a computer-generated randomisation schedule) by site staff to receive PA101 (40 mg) or matching placebo three times a day via oral inhalation for 2 weeks, followed by a 2 week washout, and then crossed over to the other arm. Study participants, investigators, study staff, and the sponsor were masked to group assignment until all participants had completed the study. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in objective daytime cough frequency (from 24 h acoustic recording, Leicester Cough Monitor). The primary efficacy analysis included all participants who received at least one dose of study drug and had at least one post-baseline efficacy measurement. Safety analysis included all those who took at least one dose of study drug. In the second cohort, participants with CIC were randomly assigned in a study across four centres with similar design and endpoints. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02412020) and the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT Number 2014-004025-40) and both cohorts are closed to new participants.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 13, 2015, and Feb 2, 2016, 24 participants with IPF were randomly assigned to treatment groups. 28 participants with CIC were enrolled during the same period and 27 received study treatment. In patients with IPF, PA101 reduced daytime cough frequency by 31·1% at day 14 compared with placebo; daytime cough frequency decreased from a mean 55 (SD 55) coughs per h at baseline to 39 (29) coughs per h at day 14 following treatment with PA101, versus 51 (37) coughs per h at baseline to 52 (40) cough per h following placebo treatment (ratio of least-squares [LS] means 0·67, 95% CI 0·48-0·94, p=0·0241). By contrast, no treatment benefit for PA101 was observed in the CIC cohort; mean reduction of daytime cough frequency at day 14 for PA101 adjusted for placebo was 6·2% (ratio of LS means 1·27, 0·78-2·06, p=0·31). PA101 was well tolerated in both cohorts. The incidence of adverse events was similar between PA101 and placebo treatments, most adverse events were mild in severity, and no severe adverse events or serious adverse events were reported.

INTERPRETATION

This study suggests that the mechanism of cough in IPF might be disease specific. Inhaled PA101 could be a treatment option for chronic cough in patients with IPF and warrants further investigation.

FUNDING

Patara Pharma.

Evaluating disease severity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Accurate assessment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) disease severity is integral to the care provided to patients with IPF. However, to date, there are no generally accepted or validated staging systems. There is an abundance of data on using information acquired from physiological, radiological and pathological parameters, in isolation or in combination, to assess disease severity in IPF. Recently, there has been interest in using serum biomarkers and computed tomography-derived quantitative lung fibrosis measures to stage disease severity in IPF. This review will focus on the suggested methods for staging IPF, at baseline and on serial assessment, their strengths and limitations, as well as future developments.

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Zusammenfassung. Trotz der Verfügbarkeit neuer Antifibrotika, mit denen eine Verlangsamung der Krankheitsprogression erreicht werden kann, bleibt die idiopathische Lungenfibrose eine invalidisierende, progressive Erkrankung mit schlechter Prognose. Mit dem Ziel einer Verbesserung der Lebensqualität und der Vermeidung von Komplikationen werden deshalb neben der antifibrotischen Therapie auch die Behandlung von Komorbiditäten sowie nicht-medikamentöse Therapieansätze eingesetzt, welche im Folgenden vorgestellt werden.

Sleep as a New Target for Improving Outcomes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common type of interstitial pneumonia but remains a disease with a poor outcome. Two drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, have shown promising results at stalling disease progression; however, the interplay of sleep disruption or sleep disorders overall and in relation to medication effectiveness remains understudied. In the past, there was limited interest in the role of sleep in patients with IPF. Treating physicians tended to address only the daily disabling symptoms while disregarding the possible significant role of sleep alterations or coexisting sleep disorders. During the past few years, there has been more research related to sleep disturbances in patients with IPF and their possible role in sleep and overall life quality, disease progression, and outcome. In summary, sleep in patients with IPF is significantly impaired, with alterations in sleep architecture, changes in sleep breathing pattern, and decreases in oxygen saturation mainly during vulnerable rapid eye movement sleep. There also is evidence that OSA has an increased prevalence in these patients, playing an important role in the already worse sleep quality related to the disease itself. The focus of this review is not only to present current data related to sleep in patients with IPF but also to point out that therapy for sleep problems and OSA is likely to improve sleep and life quality as well as disease outcome. The main priority remains to increase awareness among treating physicians about early diagnosis of OSA in patients with IPF and to emphasize the need for intense future research, especially on the role of intermittent hypoxia superimposed on chronic hypoxia during sleep in patients with IPF.

Advances in mechanisms and management of chronic cough: The Ninth London International Cough Symposium 2016

At the Ninth London International Cough Symposium held in June 2016, advances in chronic cough were presented. Chronic cough has been labelled as a cough hypersensitivity syndrome (CHS) with neuroinflammatory mechanisms likely to be the underlying mechanisms. The concept is that there is a stage of peripheral sensitisation induced by inflammatory factors setting up the scene for a central component that can be visualised by functional magnetic resonance imaging. There has also been progress in assessing CHS patients in the clinic in terms of measuring cough, with an increasing interest in assessing different types of cough associated with respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis. There is an emerging area of new antitussives in the form of neuromodulators. These advances have been paralleled by improvements in the management of patients with chronic cough. However, more work is needed but the future looks promising.

Cough Hypersensitivity Syndrome: A Few More Steps Forward

Cough reflex is a vital protective mechanism against aspiration, but when dysregulated, it can become hypersensitive. In fact, chronic cough is a significant medical problem with a high degree of morbidity. Recently, a unifying paradigm of cough hypersensitivity syndrome has been proposed. It represents a clinical entity in which chronic cough is a major presenting problem, regardless of the underlying condition. Although it remains a theoretical construct, emerging evidence suggests that aberrant neurophysiology is the common etiology of this syndrome. Recent success in randomized clinical trials using a P2X3 receptor antagonist is the first major advance in the therapeutics of cough in the past 30 years; it at last provides a strategy for treating intractable cough as well as an invaluable tool for dissecting the mechanism underpinning cough hypersensitivity. Additionally, several cough measurement tools have been validated for use and will help assess the clinical relevance of cough in various underlying conditions. Along with this paradigm shift, our understanding of cough mechanisms has improved during the past decades, allowing us to continue to take more steps forward in the future.

Chronic breathlessness in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a major challenge for caregivers

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most common forms of interstitial lung disease, with a median survival time of two to five years. Most patients with IPF experience chronic breathlessness, which is closely linked to poor perceived quality of life and significant restriction of daily activities; therefore, effective management of this distressing symptom is a major goal of patient care. Areas covered: This report summarizes the physiology of IPF during rest and exercise, outlines current concepts of the mechanisms of breathlessness, and provides a physiological rationale for optimal management of individual patients. It also examines the evidence for efficacy of a number of therapeutic interventions currently at our disposal for the management of breathlessness in IPF, which aim to reduce respiratory neural drive, reduce worsening of mechanical load, and alter central perception. Expert commentary: The current evidence supporting general measures in relieving chronic breathlessness is weak; hence, more carefully designed prospective studies are required.