On 10.02.2021, PD Dr. Hendrik Suhling, Senior Physician in the Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases at Hannover Medical School (MHH) and Head of the Asthma Surgery invited participants to the second Round Table on Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases. This year, the event took place online and attracted participants from throughout Germany. In his opening address, the clinician gave a short update on the new asthma guidelines and provided the basis for the subsequent interdisciplinary presentations.
Following this, Prof. Dr. Jörg Kleine-Tebbe from the Allergy & Asthma Center Westend Berlin provided an insight into his practical experiences with allergens and asthma sufferers. The allergy expert also reported on the advances in allergen immunotherapy. After the participants had been able to pose their questions, PD Dr. Michael Stephan from the Clinic for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy at the MHH took over. From his many years of experience in dealing with asthma sufferers, he was able to report on when it is advisable to consult a psychotherapist. His plea to all doctors who work with asthmatics is: „The psychosomatic effects of the disease cannot be overestimated“. The conclusion of the asthma-specific part of the event was taken over by PD Dr. Felix Ringshausen, Senior Physician in the Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases (MHH) and Head of the Bronchiectasis Outpatient Clinic. Using practical examples of cases from his Outpatient Clinic, the DZL scientist revealed the differences between bronchiectasis and asthma. With the Bronchiectasis Register PROGNOSIS, Ringshausen is trying, together with many other doctors in Germany, to better understand the bronchiectasis disease and to develop a clear demarcation between it and other diseases.
In light of the current situation, Prof. Dr. Tobias Welte, Director of the Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases (MHH), undertook the closing remarks of the event, giving an update on the Coronavirus pandemic. Through his active participation in various expert committees and his cooperation with the government, he was able to contribute the latest information on the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 mutations and modes of action of the different vaccines and vaccine candidates.
The large and widely spread field of participants shows how important the interdisciplinary education events are. Online events are an important instrument, not only in times of limited contact, but they will certainly also continue beyond this – at least at BREATH. We wish to thank our sponsors, who have enabled this event to go ahead.
Text: BREATH/AB
