Chest
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Although interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with inflammatory myopathies, the current definition and diagnostic criteria of autoimmune myositis remain inadequate to capture the large proportion of patients with lung-dominant disease. As a result, these patients present unique diagnostic and treatment challenges for even the most experienced clinicians. This article highlights the emerging role of autoantibodies in the diagnosis, classification, and management of patients with ILD. ⋯ Additionally, evidence supporting the various therapies used in the treatment of myositis-associated ILD is reviewed. The classification and treatment of patients with myositis-associated ILD remains challenging. A standardized therapeutic approach to these patients is lacking, and prospective studies in the field are needed to determine optimal treatment regimens.
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Lung function decline varies significantly in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), impeding individualized clinical decision-making. ⋯ Longitudinal modeling of routine clinical data can allow individualized LAM prognostication and assist in decision-making regarding the timing of treatment initiation.
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Observational Study
Sputum Type 2 markers could predict remission in severe asthma treated with anti-Interleukin-5.
Biotherapies targeting IL-5 allow a tangible improvement of asthma. However, all patients do not respond the same way to these treatments. Even if high blood eosinophil counts seem to be associated with a reduction in exacerbations with treatment targeting IL-5, we lack biomarkers for the prediction of remission after these very expensive treatments. ⋯ Sputum type 2 markers seemed to be potentially predictive of remission after anti-IL-5 therapy in a cohort of patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. These results need validation on a larger cohort.
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Hypomethylation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) gene indicates long-term smoking exposure and might therefore be a monitor for smoking-induced disease risk. However, studies of individual longitudinal changes in AHRR methylation are sparse. ⋯ AHRR methylation recovered after individuals quit smoking, and recovery was more pronounced and occurred faster in younger compared with older interim quitters.