Ward-based high-flow nasal oxygen therapy in acute respiratory failure - a retrospective analysis of long-term mortality.

Introduction: High-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) for acute respiratory failure (ARF) has been used in the intensive care units (ICU), but more recently also on respiratory wards (RW). Little data are available regarding in-hospital, short-term and long-term mortality in the latter setting.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients ≥ 16 years old treated with HFNO on the RW between 01/2020 and 09/2022 with a follow-up until 09/2023.

Palliative care for patients with severe chronic lung diseases - a Swiss position paper.

Background: Severe chronic lung diseases are frequently associated with a high symptom burden, dependence on caregivers, poor quality of life and a high risk of early mortality. Medical, psychological and social situations can become increasingly complex despite established disease-modifying treatment. In patients with lung cancer, palliative care (PC) is well established; however, PC is typically underused in chronic lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.

Global epidemiology and burden of interstitial lung disease.

The global incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) are difficult to determine due to the rarity of the condition, inconsistent case ascertainment and reporting methods, and differences in risk factors, burden of exposures, and access to health-care systems across geographical areas. With these caveats, several studies have reported an increased incidence and prevalence of ILD over time. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common and extensively studied ILD, whereas connective tissue disease-associated ILD and hypersensitivity pneumonitis display the most geographical variability.

Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Interstitial Lung Disease: A Review on Diagnosis and Treatment with a Focus on Emerging Therapies.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) complicating interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) is critical for symptom burden and prognosis. The prevalence of PH varies according to ILD subgroups and severities. Establishing the diagnosis of PH associated with ILDs (PH-ILDs) is complex due to overlapping symptoms, late clinical signs, and poor diagnostic performance of routine noninvasive diagnostic methods.

Effects of long-term oxygen therapy on acute exacerbation and hospital burden: the national DISCOVERY study.

Background: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) improves survival in patients with chronic severe resting hypoxaemia, but effects on hospitalisation are unknown. This study evaluated the potential impact of starting LTOT on acute exacerbation and hospital burden in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Methods: Longitudinal analysis of consecutive patients in the population-based Swedish DISCOVERY cohort who started LTOT between 2000 and 2018 with a follow-up duration≥3 months.

Impact of the establishment of a multidisciplinary national chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension board on a monocentric surgical endarterectomy program.

Objectives: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is a rare disease, characterized by delays in diagnosis and curative surgical treatment. After establishing a surgical pulmonary endarterectomy centre in Switzerland and due to a historically low resection rate of 14%, a national multidisciplinary evaluation board was established in January 2018. Herein, we summarize the impact of the board on our programme.

Pulmonary rehabilitation and functional independence: Impact on survival in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) aims to improve patients' functioning in interstitial lung disease (ILD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The impact of change in functional independence during PR on subsequent survival has not been established. We aimed to determine functional independence during PR and its association with survival over three years post-PR.

The Clinical Frailty Scale for Risk Stratification in Patients With Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease.

Background: Previous studies have shown the importance of frailty in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Research Question: Is the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) a valid tool to improve risk stratification in patients with fibrotic ILD?

Study Design And Methods: Patients with fibrotic ILD were included from the prospective multicenter Canadian Registry for Pulmonary Fibrosis. The CFS was assessed using available information from initial ILD clinic visits.

Long-term outcome of patients with combined post- and pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension.

Aims: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex clinical condition, and left heart disease is the leading cause. Little is known about the epidemiology and prognosis of combined post- and pre-capillary PH (CpcPH).

Methods And Results: This retrospective analysis of the Swiss PH Registry included incident patients with CpcPH registered from January 2001 to June 2019 at 13 Swiss hospitals.