Extract
Bronchiectasis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways with a high symptom burden, which includes chronic cough [1]. The current management strategy includes identifying aetiology, comorbidity and treatable traits. The role of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with or without long-acting beta agonists (LABA) in treatment is uncertain. ICS use is only advised for patients with coexisting asthma or COPD [1, 2]. However, up to 53.1% of bronchiectasis patients use ICS or ICS/LABA, with a third having no asthma or COPD diagnosis, according to a recent EMBARC analysis (European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration) [3].
Tweetable abstract
The FORZA trial investigated beclomethasone–formoterol versus placebo in bronchiectasis without asthma or COPD. There were no signs of benefit and more adverse events, which warrants caution for the prescription of ICS/LABA therapy in bronchiectasis. https://bit.ly/3BMMUhX
Footnotes
This clinical trial was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov with identifier number NCT03846570. All of the individual participant data collected during the trial will be shared (anonymised) upon reasonable request by researchers with a clearly stated purpose and methodology. The study protocol, statistical analysis plan and statistical code will also be made available upon request. Data can be requested immediately following publication up to 36 months, after which the data will be filed in the Erasmus MC respiratory medicine department archives without further research support. Data requests are to be addressed to: research.longziekten@erasmusmc.nl
Conflict of interest: T. van der Veer declares support for the present study from Chiesi Pharmaceuticals (provision of study medication; no payments and no other support provided). J.M. de Koning Gans declares support for the present study from Chiesi Pharmaceuticals (provision of study medication; no payments and no other support provided). G.J. Braunstahl declares grants or contract funds paid to their institution by GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Sanofi, consulting fees from Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, ALK Abello and AstraZeneca, and payment or honoraria from Chiesi, ALK Abello, GlaxoSmithKline and TEVA, all in the 36 months prior to manuscript submission; and holds unpaid roles as the Chair of the Asthma Section of NVALT and an editorial board member of NTvAAKI. L.S.J. Kamphuis declares payment from Chiesi for developing e-learning materials about non-CF bronchiectasis, in the 36 months prior to manuscript submission. J.G.J.V. Aerts declares payment of speaker's fees from Eli Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme and BIOCAD, and participation on data safety monitoring boards or advisory boards for Eli Lilly, Amphera, BIOCAD and Merck Sharp & Dohme, all in the 36 months prior to manuscript submission; in addition, they have patents planned, issued or pending with Pamgene and Amphera, holds stock in Amphera, and also declare board membership of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. M.M. van der Eerden declares support for the present study from Chiesi Pharmaceuticals (provision of study medication; no payments and no other support provided). All other authors declare no competing interests.
Support statement: This work was supported by Erasmus MC. The investigational product was provided by Chiesi pharmaceuticals.
- Received January 31, 2023.
- Accepted May 10, 2023.
- Copyright ©The authors 2023. For reproduction rights and permissions contact permissions{at}ersnet.org
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