A recent study found that the opioid crisis has led to a significant increase in ICU admissions and deaths in US hospitals, with an estimated nearly double increase in deaths from opioid overdoses. The study also revealed that the cost of caring for these patients increased significantly during this period.
Research suggests that sleep disorders are associated with diminished cognition in individuals carrying a genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, APOE-ε4 carriers showed greater cognitive deficits with various indices of sleep-disordered breathing compared to those without the allele. The study found increased over...
A new study found that bronchial thermoplasty (BT) significantly reduces severe exacerbations, hospitalizations, and ER visits in adults with severe, persistent asthma. After two years of treatment, patients experienced long-term improvement in their asthma control and reduced their need for medication.
In-hospital COPD mortality declined substantially between 2005 and 2014, with a 62% decrease in deaths among patients hospitalized for the condition. Women accounted for the majority of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths, making up 57-58% and 51-55%, respectively.
A machine-learning algorithm has been developed to predict severe sepsis and septic shock in hospitalized patients, utilizing data from electronic health records. The algorithm was validated in real-time and found to accurately identify patients at risk, with approximately 3% of all acute care patients screened as positive.
A randomized controlled trial found that online pulmonary rehabilitation was non-inferior to in-person classes in improving exercise capacity and symptom control among patients with moderate COPD. The study used the MyPR application, which is free for UK patients with advanced COPD.
A study analyzing 3,640,229 patients in the SEER database found that lung cancer diagnoses are associated with a nearly 420% higher suicide rate compared to the general population. The highest suicide risk was observed in lung cancer patients, particularly older individuals, widowed patients, and those with metastatic disease.
A new study found that smokers without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience vascular pruning, or the reduction of distal pulmonary blood vessels, are at a higher risk of death. Vascular pruning was not associated with an increased risk of death in smokers with COPD.
A survey of lung disease patients reveals equipment issues, access barriers, and anxiety over running out of oxygen as major concerns. The study highlights the need for improved home oxygen services that support mobility and quality of life.
Women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at greater risk for serious pregnancy complications, including ICU admission and increased risk of rare but severe complications such as hysterectomy and congestive heart failure. OSA also increases the risk of hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes.
A new investigational biologic, benralizumab, has shown promise in reducing the need for adults with severe asthma to take oral corticosteroids. The study found that patients enrolled in either of the benralizumab arms had a significant reduction in prednisone use and annual exacerbation rates compared to those receiving a placebo.
Researchers found that viral acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in infants may lead to oxidative stress and recurrent wheezing in early childhood. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, and measuring it in urine samples during a viral ARI may predict the development of recurrent wheeze.
A new study found that children exposed to high levels of outdoor particulate air pollution during pregnancy and high maternal stress were more likely to develop asthma by age six. Boys were particularly affected, possibly due to slower lung maturation and increased risk of oxidative stress.
A new study finds that severe obstructive sleep apnea is most common among African-American inner-city children from low-income families in Washington D.C. These children are also more likely to have a delayed diagnosis, highlighting the need for increased awareness and education to identify and treat the condition.
Research found that measures of OSA severity were significant predictors of AF, with oxygen desaturation remaining a significant predictor after adjusting for known risk factors. Women with sleep apnea were more likely to develop AF hospitalizations, highlighting the potential for gender-specific mechanisms.
African Americans with sleep apnea and insomnia are rarely diagnosed, with only 2.1% of those with sleep apnea reporting a physician diagnosis. Higher body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, being male, and older age were associated with sleep apnea severity.
Researchers found that patients with high ICOS expression had improved survival, while those with low CD28 expression had poor outcomes. The study suggests that these biomarkers may help clinicians identify IPF patients at greatest risk and develop early intervention strategies.
A study found that ER overcrowding is associated with a significant delay in sepsis treatment, resulting in increased mortality risk. Patients presenting to crowded ERs waited an average of 47 minutes longer for antibiotics compared to uncrowded ERs.
A recent study found that approximately 22.1 percent of adult patients prescribed antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia do not respond to treatment, highlighting the need for updated guidelines and more aggressive antibiotic therapy for vulnerable populations such as older adults. The study also revealed regional variations in t...
A study of 3,434 US MDR TB patients found that those on directly observed therapy had a 77% decrease in mortality compared to self-administered therapy. The study suggests that maximizing direct observation therapy coverage can help reduce all-cause mortality among MDR TB patients.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) mortality is lower in high-volume Intensive Care Units (ICUs), according to a new study analyzing the French CUB-REA database. The research found that despite increased ARDS severity, ICU mortality decreased in high-volume ICUs compared to low and moderate volume ICUs.
Researchers analyzed data from 1,863 participants and found a significant association between air pollution exposure and low sleep efficiency. The study suggests that improving air quality may be one way to enhance sleep health and reduce health disparities.
Acute COPD exacerbations significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease or at high CVD risk. Researchers found that odds of these events were nearly four-fold higher within 30 days after an exacerbation.
The report highlights the need for improved medical responses to toxic inhalation disasters, citing challenges such as limited research data and high costs of FDA approval. The panel recommends developing new laboratory models, extrapolating pathophysiologic mechanisms from similar lung diseases, and creating a robust global infrastruc...
A study analyzing over 1.5 million Medicare records found that ICU care for COPD, heart failure, and heart attack patients may not be more beneficial than regular hospital care, with significant differences in cost of care.
A nationwide study in China found that fine particulate air pollution is associated with a significant increase in mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The study found that even low levels of air pollution can have serious health effects, particularly among older adults and those with lower education levels.
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that preterm babies who received palivizumab had significantly lower incidence of physician-diagnosed wheeze by age six, compared to those who did not receive the drug. The researchers suggest that atopic asthma in children up to age six is pr...
A randomized controlled trial found that oral appliances significantly improved sleep quality and symptoms in patients with severe sleep apnea, but had no effect on endothelial function or blood pressure. The study suggests further research is needed to determine the impact of oral devices on cardiovascular health.
A study of over 2,000 children found that those with asthma were 51% more likely to become obese than their non-asthmatic peers. The use of asthma rescue medications was shown to reduce the risk of obesity by 43%.
Researchers found that clean-burning ethanol stoves reduced the incidence of hypertension and increased diastolic blood pressure in pregnant Nigerian women. The study suggests that switching to clean fuels could have significant health benefits for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women.
A longitudinal population-based study found that menopausal women experience an accelerated decline in lung function, with declines in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second comparable to severe smoking. The study highlights the importance of maintaining respiratory health long after the menopausal transition.
New research found an association between e-cigarette use and persistent cough, bronchitis, and congestion in teenagers. The study suggested that even non-smoking e-cigarette users may experience respiratory symptoms, highlighting the need for further study on the long-term effects of e-cigarettes.
Researchers develop a simple tool to identify patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care settings using five questions and peak expiratory flow meters. The approach shows high sensitivity and specificity rates, and may improve COPD diagnosis, quality of life, and health outcomes.
International ATS physicians report that climate change affects patients in various ways, including increased chronic disease severity and heat-related effects. The survey also highlights the impact of climate change on air pollution, which has well-established links to respiratory health.
Research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with significant long-term lung function loss. Those with mild COPD experienced the greatest FEV1 decline, with each exacerbation linked to an additional 23 m...
Reducing ozone and fine particulate matter to protective levels could save 9,320 lives annually, reduce serious illnesses by 21,400, and decrease impacted days by 19.3 million. The study highlights the benefits of stricter standards in metropolitan areas with high air pollution concentrations.
A recent study found that depression decreases adherence to COPD maintenance medications in older adults, with average monthly adherence peaking at 57% and decreasing to 25% within six months. Clinicians should be aware of the development of depression in newly-diagnosed patients with COPD.
A study of 1,421 Canadian children found that early introduction of allergenic foods decreases the risk of sensitization to these foods. Early introduction of eggs was especially beneficial, reducing the risk of sensitization to any of the three tested foods. The study suggests a shift in thinking from delayed food introduction to earl...
CHF patients with predominant central sleep apnea (CSA) are at higher risk for death and unplanned hospitalization, particularly those in the most severe NYHA class. ASV therapy has been shown to be effective in treating CSA, but its impact on mortality rates remains unclear.
A new gene therapy has been developed to repair lungs damaged by chronic allergic asthma, reducing inflammation and improving airway structure and function. The study used a novel biodegradable platform to deliver the thymulin gene therapy, showing effective results in mice with experimental asthma.
A study of 417,494 older adults with COPD, asthma, or both found a significant increase in nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease among current and former inhaled corticosteroid users. Researchers identified fluticasone as a potential contributor to the increased risk.
Critically ill MERS patients exhibit more severe disease and higher mortality than non-MERS patients with SARI. The study, conducted at 14 hospitals in Saudi Arabia, highlights the need for improved diagnostic tools to combat this deadly virus.
Children with sickle cell disease show significant improvement in lung function after receiving hydroxyurea treatment. The study found a reduction of over one-third in the annual pulmonary function decline, indicating potential benefits for patients.
A retrospective study of 32,760 ICU patients found that nighttime extubations were associated with higher mortality rates compared to daytime extubations. Patients who underwent overnight extubations were more likely to have cardiovascular diagnoses and experienced longer hospital stays.
A streamlined TB diagnosis approach using a single sputum sample and rapid results proved feasible in rural Uganda, increasing treatment initiation rates. The method uses fluorescence microscopy for quick analysis and GeneXpert testing for accurate results, with 73% of patients diagnosed correctly.
A study of 701 Canadian adults found that 30% of those diagnosed with asthma did not have current asthma after medication withdrawal. Careful testing revealed no evidence of airflow obstruction or bronchial hyper-reactivity in 37.5% of subjects.
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a significant increase in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, including cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, and unplanned revascularization. Patients with OSA have a 1.57 times higher risk of these events compared to those without OSA.
Research highlights a critical need to address rising opioid-related ICU admissions and deaths, with a near doubling since 2009. The study's findings emphasize the strain on ICUs and the need for increased training and resources for clinicians to manage addiction.
Research showed that even snoring alone can negatively impact cognitive functioning in young children. A large study found moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea increased the likelihood and magnitude of cognitive deficits, including problems with attention, memory, and language.
A new study found that nickel and vanadium, emitted by burning fuel oil, may be damaging to children's developing lungs. The research, presented at the ATS 2016 International Conference, analyzed data from 1,911 elementary school-aged children in Southern California communities.