Respiratory experts to gather in Derry 

The Irish Thoracic Society’s upcoming Annual Scientific Meeting brings national and international leaders
in respiratory medicine together for three days of lectures, discussions, and research presentations

This year, the Irish Thoracic Society (ITS) Annual Scientific Meeting 2024 is taking place at the Millennium Forum, Co Derry, on 14-16 November.

The event will bring together a host of national and international experts in respiratory medicine, with a packed programme of guest lectures, poster sessions, and oral presentations. The 2024 gathering will continue to serve as an important platform for clinicians and researchers to present cutting-edge studies, exchange ideas, and discuss the latest advancements in respiratory care.

It is the first time since 2013 the ITS annual meeting will be held in the North. In addition, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Ulster, Dr Nazia Chaudhuri, told the Medical Independent that next year’s Spring Meeting in March, which will be co-hosted with the British Thoracic Society, will take place in Belfast.

“There is a lot of shared learning that we can have between the North and the South,” said Dr Chaudhuri, who co-organised the November meeting with Dr Martin Kelly, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Co Derry.

“We are obviously dealing with a similar population when it comes to the genetic background and the socio-economic background and how that can impact on respiratory diseases. So having the opportunity to network and meet with our colleagues from the Republic of Ireland is really important.”

Dr Chaudhuri added she is looking forward to delegates having the opportunity to see the “beautiful city” of Derry while attending the conference.

Submissions

The meeting will open with a session on specialist registrar training on Thursday afternoon. This will be followed by the popular case study forum and case poster review, which will be held concurrently. Dr Chaudhuri highlighted how approximately 200 submissions were received for the case report forum. In addition, over 300 abstracts were also submitted for the meeting.

“We really are showcasing the very best of the island of Ireland’s research” in respiratory medicine, she said.

Case study oral presentations and a prize-giving ceremony will round-off the first day.

Keynote lectures

The second day of the conference, Friday 15 November, will start early with a poster review and poster discussions.

Dr Chaudhuri pointed out that the programme of the meeting is varied and is designed to have a wide appeal for attendees.

The first keynote lecture of the conference will be delivered by Dr Alexander Mathioudakis, Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine, at the University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

The title of Dr Mathioudakis’ talk is ‘Altering the trajectory of COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] exacerbations’.

His research focuses on airway disease phenotypes and personalised medicine, as well as clinical research methodology and evidence-based medicine. He has received research competitive funding from the National Institute of Health and Care Research, the European Respiratory Society, and for investigator initiated studies by Boehringer Ingelheim and the North West Lung Charity.

Following Dr Mathioudakis’ presentation, a session of oral presentations will take place after which attendees will break for the ITS AGM. Following lunch, a poster review and parallel poster discussions will be held.

In the afternoon, guest lecturer, Prof Gisli Jenkins, a leading expert in pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease (ILD), will take the stage to discuss the role of biomarkers in diagnosing and managing ILD. Prof Jenkins, who is a Consultant Respiratory Physician in Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, works to understand the biological basis for the development of pulmonary fibrosis and aims to translate this understanding into improved outcomes for patients.

He is the Principal Investigator of a number of longitudinal observational studies, including the PROFILE study, the INJUSTIS study, the UKILD-Long Covid study, as well as the DEMISTIFI multi-morbidity consortium.

His insights are highly anticipated, as biomarker-driven treatment approaches are becoming increasingly central to the future of precision medicine in respiratory care. Another session of oral presentations will take place after his lecture.

The day will conclude with a prize-giving ceremony and drinks reception, celebrating the achievements of young researchers and practitioners.

Later that evening, a gala dinner will be held at the Ebrington Hotel, where the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Respiratory Medicine will be presented. This prestigious accolade recognises individuals who have made a significant impact on the field of respiratory care in Ireland.

Second day

The final day, Saturday 16 November, will feature a number of guest lectures. It will begin with a lecture by Dr John Garvey, Consultant in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin. Dr Garvey is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnoea, a condition that affects a growing number of patients and is linked to various other health issues, including cardiovascular disease. His lecture will address the latest advances in sleep apnoea management, including developments in continuous positive airway pressure therapy.

So having the opportunity to network and meet with our colleagues from the Republic of Ireland is really important

Following Dr Garvey’s presentation, Prof Jacky Smith will discuss chronic cough, an often debilitating condition that can be difficult to manage. Prof Smyth is Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester and an Honorary Consultant at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

Prof Smith led the development of a novel method for semi-automated cough detection, that has been licensed and commercialised. This cough monitoring system has changed the standards by which novel cough therapies are evaluated in regulatory clinical trials and has facilitated the discovery of a new class of efficacious antitussive therapy, P2X3 antagonists.

In addition to continuing work developing new endpoints in cough monitoring, her main research interests lie in understanding the mechanisms underlying cough in respiratory diseases and the testing of novel antitussive therapies.

After a mid-morning break for refreshments, Dr Kerri Johannson of the University of Calgary, Canada, will speak about hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Dr Chaudhuri pointed out that Dr Johannson is a world expert in her field. She added that hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which includes ‘Farmer’s lung’, is a topic of particular relevance for physicians who provide care for rural populations both North and South.

“It’s great to have such a world expert coming to the Irish Thoracic Society to give this talk,” Dr Chaudhuri said.

Closing the scientific programme, Prof Cecilia O’Kane will speak about non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections. Prof O’Kane is a Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, and her work in the field of mycobacterial diseases has been instrumental in shaping the understanding of NTM infections. With NTM becoming more prevalent in patients with chronic lung diseases, her lecture will provide a timely update on current approaches to diagnosis and management.

Affiliate forums

In addition to the main scientific sessions, the conference will feature affiliate forums throughout the weekend, including meetings of ANAIL (the Respiratory Nurses Association of Ireland) and the Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Physiology. These forums provide opportunities for specialised groups within the respiratory field to discuss common challenges and share best practices.

With a comprehensive programme featuring leading experts and a diverse range of topics, the ITS Annual Scientific Meeting 2024 is set to be an essential event for anyone involved in respiratory care.