A highlight of the German Respiratory Society (DGP) congress for the DZL was the Lung Patient Forum on March 19, 2024: Approximately 200 individuals with lung diseases seized the opportunity to pose their questions to renowned experts in lung research. The overwhelmingly positive feedback underscores the popularity of the format, which was held in collaboration with our partner, the Lung Information Service, and Deutscher Lungentag.
Initially, the specialists provided brief updates from their respective fields:
- Prof. Dr. med. Monika Gappa explained the factors influencing lung health throughout life and suggested measures for maintaining healthy lungs.
- DZL researcher Prof. Dr. med. Michael Kreuter introduced the diversity of interstitial lung diseases and discussed the impact of detailed diagnosis on treatment.
- Prof. Dr. med. Christiane Lex presented key facts about asthma in children and adolescents, focusing on unique aspects of diagnosis and therapy.
- Prof. Dr. med. Marek Lommatzsch traced the evolution of asthma treatment in adults from constant acute therapy in the 20th century to personalized approaches in the 21st century.
- DZL researcher Dr. med. Nicole Maison highlighted new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities, along with current research findings on allergies in children and adolescents.
- DZL researcher and board member Prof. Dr. med. Klaus F. Rabe examined the factors influencing the onset and progression of COPD, along with current therapy recommendations.
- DZL researcher Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Gernot Rohde provided an update on respiratory infections, covering risk factors, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention.
- Dr. med. Hubert Schädler discussed the mechanisms of cough development and potential causes of chronic cough.
- Prof. Dr. med. Wolfgang Schütte addressed current topics in lung cancer, spanning prevention, various treatment methods, and new concepts for metastatic stages.
