TUH paediatric respiratory specialist's research recognised in global journal

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service has made strides in respiratory health following the release of ground-breaking research into chronic coughs by north Queensland’s only paediatric respiratory and sleep specialist Dr Dustin Mills.
Dr Mills recently contributed to a special edition of one of the world’s most influential respiratory journals, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM), as part of his PhD in chronic wet cough and bronchiectasis in children.
The article “Radiographic Outcomes in Paediatric Bronchiectasis and Factors Associated with Reversibility” featured on the front cover of the AJRCCM for a recent special edition on bronchiectasis.
Chronic cough is defined in children as a cough every day for more than four weeks.
Dr Mills said it was not uncommon for kids to have a chronic cough, but there needed to be appropriate assessment and management as it could signify serious underlying lung disease.
“A chronic wet/productive cough can lead to irreversible lung damage called bronchiectasis, where the breathing tubes become chronically infected with bacteria and scarring can occur,” Dr Mills said.
“Bronchiectasis is an often neglected but not uncommon chronic lung disease in children, with the highest rates described in marginalised Indigenous communities.
“Importantly if chronic wet cough is diagnosed early and treated appropriately, bronchiectasis can be prevented, or even reversed in some children as their lungs continue to grow and heal, as shown in my research.
“Chronic wet cough is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed as conditions like asthma, leading to preventable burdens on children and their families.
“Untreated chronic wet cough can lead to bronchiectasis and delays in appropriate treatment can lead to irreversible lung damage and decline in lung function, predisposing these children to a life with frequent or unremitting cough, recurrent antibiotic use, hospitalisations, and ultimately a shortened life expectancy.
“That is why it is vital that any child with a cough every day for more than four weeks is seen by a healthcare provider.”
Three-year-old Florence Collins experienced recurrent episodes of chronic wet cough since she was six-months old.
She was brought to Townsville University Hospital where tests showed she had early bronchiectasis.
She was started on a bronchiectasis plan, which included anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy, immunisations, and other treatments.
She has now been cough free for six months.
Florence’s parents Jannika and Matthew Collins said the care they received had dramatically improved their quality of life as a family.
“Florence now sleeps better, she doesn't miss daycare which means we don’t miss work, and we don’t have recurrent hospital visits,” Mrs Collins said.
“The care from Dustin and nurse navigator Leigh had been amazing from early explanations to ongoing support.”
“Having access to a doctor with this speciality, that we can get in contact with whenever we had concerns, is a saving grace and means we didn’t have to travel to Brisbane for specialist appointments.”
Dr Mills said his work as a paediatric respiratory and sleep specialist encapsulated a wide range of settings from acute care to long-term management of chronic conditions.
“Witnessing improvements in patient outcomes and the positive impact on both children and their families, including enhanced quality of life and reduced health-related stress is rewarding, particularly when we can deliver care closer to home for young people and their families,” he said.
“We are fortunate in Australia to be guided by Professor Anne Chang from the Queensland Children’s Hospital who has been a champion for lung health in Indigenous children, particularly bronchiectasis.
“Professor Chang is one of a number of my amazing PhD supervisors and I look forward to providing opportunities for north Queensland families to be involved in our ongoing research.”
Dr Mills said research to understand the lung health and function of children like Florence through their life course was ongoing.