The existing consensus meets the present requirement and can assist doctors in diagnosing and treating cough efficiently in the primary healthcare facilities in India. This consensus was published in The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India.

A consensus on clinical statements was achieved through the use of the modified Delphi method. The panel consisted of 10 experts, encompassing pulmonologists, otolaryngologists, a general physician and a pediatrician. The discussions were focused on the domains of definition, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

A total of 109 clinical statements were developed, with 75 achieving consensus, 13 reaching near consensus, and 21 failing to reach consensus. The empirical use of nonopioid antitussive agents for relieving symptoms of acute dry cough is recommended. Symptom relief for cough associated with upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) or rhinitis may be achieved by considering the use of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) containing oral antihistamines, mucoactive agents, or oral decongestants. Adequate hydration plays a key role in managing a productive cough. Codeine-based preparations should be reserved as a last resort for patients with unexplained chronic cough when other treatments have proven ineffective. Insights were gathered on nonpharmacologic therapy, special populations, red flag signs, and referral to specialized centers. A management algorithm with an integrated care pathway approach for subacute, acute, and chronic coughs was recommended by subject matter experts.

It can be concluded that the current consensus meets the existing needs and can support the physician in diagnosing and managing cough effectively in the primary healthcare setting in India. The general consensus was that the use of fixed-dose combination medications containing oral antihistamines, mucoactive agents, or oral decongestants can help relieve symptoms of UACS or rhinitis. Maintaining proper hydration can also alleviate productive coughs, and it is recommended to consider codeine-based treatments only if other treatments have proven ineffective.

 A study has shown that in  individuals undergoing lung resection with one-lung ventilation, individualised open-lung approach (iOLA) had a lower risk of severe postoperative pulmonary complications compared to conventional lung-protective ventilation. This study’s findings were published in the journal, Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

In this randomised controlled trial, patients aged 18 years and above were randomised into two groups: one receiving iOLA (n=670) and the other receiving standard lung-protective ventilation (n=638). The iOLA treatment involved an alveolar recruitment manoeuvre with an end-inspiratory pressure of 40 cm H₂O, followed by individualised positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) adjusted to achieve optimal respiratory system compliance. Additionally, participants in the iOLA group received personalised postoperative respiratory support through high-flow oxygen therapy. On the other hand, participants in the standard lung-protective ventilation group received 4 cm H₂O of PEEP during surgery and conventional oxygen therapy after surgery. The primary outcome measured was the occurrence of severe postoperative pulmonary complications within the first 7 days after surgery.

At the end of the study, patients in the iOLA group had a lower incidence of severe postoperative pulmonary complications within the first 7 days post-surgery compared to those in the standard lung-protective ventilation group [40 patients (6%) vs 97 patients (15%)].

According to the above study, in patients undergoing lung resection with one-lung ventilation, the utilization of iOLA was found to be linked to a decreased likelihood of experiencing severe postoperative pulmonary complications in comparison to the use of conventional lung-protective ventilation.

According to a recent study, it was found that enhanced recovery after surgery-based respiratory function exercise was seen in elderly patients with lung cancer. The results of this study were published in the journal, Alternative therapies in health and medicine.

This study included 109 elderly lung cancer patients, who were randomly assigned to either the control group (n=52), who received conventional care or the research group (n=57), who received enhanced recovery after surgery-based respiratory function exercise along with conventional care. Parameters such as respiratory function, functional capacity, incidence of pulmonary complications, and quality of life were studied before and after the intervention.

It was seen that the research group exhibited improved Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second, Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second/Forced Vital Capacity, and Forced Vital Capacity when compared to the control group (P < .05). This group also showed higher Barthel indices, indicating better functional capacity and lower St George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores, signifying better quality of life. The incidence of pulmonary complications was also found to be lower in the research group.

Based on the above findings, it may be concluded that respiratory function can be improved following surgery-based respiratory function exercise and can promote postoperative functional recovery, enhance the quality of life, and reduce pulmonary complications in elderly patients with lung cancer.