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New paper led by Dr Peter May and colleagues and published in BMC Health Services Research examines the cost-effectiveness of repurposing mirtazapine for severe breathlessness in advanced respiratory disease. Using data from the multinational BETTER-B trial, the study found that mirtazapine did not improve quality of life and increased overall costs — with only a 1–2% chance of being cost-effective.

A new paper, "Prevalence and correlates of breathlessness in adults: an umbrella review and updated systematic review with meta-analysis in general and clinical populations" has been published by Cheng et al.  This review synthesised evidence on the prevalence of breathlessness, its correlates and assesment methods across general and clinical populations.

Professor Irene Higginson spoke at the launch of the National Palliative and End of Life Care Research Incubator which took place on 23 September.  The incubator will support the development of researchers in palliative and end of life care through events, networking and collaborations, and you can read more about it here:  https://www.pri-uk.org/  and watch the launch event here:  https://vimeo.com/1122146443/7de97823fe?share=copy Professor Higginson spoke alongside Kathy Rogers and Kieran Potts on the scope and opportunities of the incubator.

A new paper: Motivations and experiences of patients with respiratory disease and their caregivers in a multinational trial of mirtazapine for severe breathlessness: a qualitative study (BETTER-B) has recently been published online. Please go to the publication page to view.