Background Convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat COVID-19 and is under investigation in numerous randomized clinical trials, but results are publicly available only for a small number of trials. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of convalescent plasma treatment compared to placebo or no treatment and all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19, using data from all available randomized clinical trials, including unpublished and ongoing trials (Open Science Framework, https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GEHFX). Methods In this collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis, clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform), the Cochrane COVID-19 register, the LOVE database, and PubMed were searched until April 8, 2021. Investigators of trials registered by March 1, 2021, without published results were contacted via email. Eligible were ongoing, discontinued and completed randomized clinical trials that compared convalescent plasma with placebo or no treatment in COVID-19 patients, regardless of setting or treatment schedule. Aggregated mortality data were extracted from publications or provided by investigators of unpublished trials and combined using the Hartung–Knapp–Sidik–Jonkman random effects model. We investigated the contribution of unpublished trials to the overall evidence. Results A total of 16,477 patients were included in 33 trials (20 unpublished with 3190 patients, 13 published with 13,287 patients). 32 trials enrolled only hospitalized patients (including 3 with only intensive care unit patients). Risk of bias was low for 29/33 trials. Of 8495 patients who received convalescent plasma, 1997 died (23%), and of 7982 control patients, 1952 died (24%). The combined risk ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.92; 1.02) with between-study heterogeneity not beyond chance (I2 = 0%). The RECOVERY trial had 69.8% and the unpublished evidence 25.3% of the weight in the meta-analysis. Conclusions Convalescent plasma treatment of patients with COVID-19 did not reduce all-cause mortality. These results provide strong evidence that convalescent plasma treatment for patients with COVID-19 should not be used outside of randomized trials. Evidence synthesis from collaborations among trial investigators can inform both evidence generation and evidence application in patient care.

We assessed the effectiveness of an asthma educational programme based on a repeated short intervention (AEP-RSI) to improve asthma control (symptom control and future risk) and quality of life.A total of 230 adults with mild-to-moderate persistent uncontrolled asthma participated in a 1-year cluster randomised controlled multicentre study. The AEP-RSI was given in four face-to-face sessions at 3-month intervals, and included administration of a written personalised action plan and training on inhaler technique. Centres were randomised to the AEP-RSI (intervention) group or usual clinical practice group. Specialised centres using a standard educational programme were the gold standard group. A significant improvement in the Asthma Control Test score was observed in all three groups ( p<0.001), but improvements were higher in the intervention and gold standard groups than in the usual clinical practice group (p=0.042), which also showed fewer exacerbations (mean±SD; 1.20±2.02 and 0.56±1.5 versus 2.04±2.72, respectively) and greater increases in the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores (0.95±1.04 and 0.89±0.84 versus 0.52±0.97, respectively).The AEP-RSI was effective in improving asthma symptom control, future risk and quality of life. @ERSpublications An educational programme based on a repeated short intervention for asthma is effective and easily to use in practice

A clear link was found between premenstrual asthma and the premenstrual exacerbation of dysphoric symptoms, and certain edematous symptoms such as abdominal and mammary tension as well as a swelling sensation.

No abstract

Background Myofunctional therapy is currently a reasonable therapeutic option to treat obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). This therapy is based on performing regular exercises of the upper airway muscles to increase their tone and prevent their collapse. Over the past decade, there has been an increasing number of publications in this area; however, to our knowledge, there are no studies focused on patients who can most benefit from this therapy. Objective This protocol describes a case-control clinical trial aimed at determining the muscular features of patients recently diagnosed with severe OSAHS compared with those of healthy controls. Methods Patients meeting set criteria will be sequentially enrolled up to a sample size of 40. Twenty patients who meet the inclusion criteria for controls will also be evaluated. Patients will be examined by a qualified phonoaudiologist who will take biometric measurements and administer the Expanded Protocol of Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES), Friedman Staging System, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaires. Measures of upper airway muscle tone will also be performed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument and tongue digital spoon devices. Evaluation will be recorded and reevaluated by a second specialist to determine concordance between observers. Results A total of 60 patients will be enrolled. Both the group with severe OSAHS (40 patients) and the control group (20 subjects) will be assessed for differences between upper airway muscle tone and OMES questionnaire responses. Conclusions This study will help to determine muscle patterns in patients with severe OSAHS and can be used to fill the gap currently present in the assessment of patients suitable to be treated with myofunctional therapy. Trial Registration ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN12596010; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12596010 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/30500