Home Pulmonology April 2019 Briefing – Pulmonology

April 2019 Briefing – Pulmonology

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pulmonology for April 2019. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

Work Stress, Impaired Sleep Tied to CVD Risk in Workers With HTN

TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Work stress and impaired sleep are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among workers with hypertension, according to a study published online April 27 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Abstract/Full Text

Combo Nicotine Replacement Tx Ups Success in Quitting Smoking

TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — People who use combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are more likely to successfully quit smoking than people who use a single form of NRT, according to a review published online April 18 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Abstract/Full Text

Confidence in Inhaler Technique Poor Proxy for Correct Use

TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Child and parent confidence are poor proxies for proper inhaler use among African-American children with asthma, according to a study published online April 30 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

FDA Approves Device That Allows for Reassessment of Lung Transplant Suitability

MONDAY, April 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of a new device on Friday that aims to increase the number of lungs available for transplant.

More Information

Improvement Needed in Doctor-Patient Lung Cancer Screening Discussions

FRIDAY, April 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Among individuals across the spectrum of lung cancer risk, efforts are needed to improve physician-patient discussion about lung cancer screening, according to a study published online April 25 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Gender Differences Seen in Adverse Drug Reactions

FRIDAY, April 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) may be higher for women, even when accounting for gender differences in drug use, according to a study published online April 2 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

FDA Announces New Steps to Reduce Risks Tied to Surgical Staplers

THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week announced three new efforts to protect patients from malfunctions, injuries, and deaths associated with the use of surgical staplers for internal use and implantable surgical staples.

More Information

Emergency Medical Diseases Account for About Half of Mortality

THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Emergency medical diseases (EMDs) contribute to about half of mortality and two-fifths of the burden of diseases globally, according to a study recently published in BMJ Global Health.

Abstract/Full Text

Some Children With Asthma Miss Critical Step in Inhaler Use

WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many children with asthma, especially older children using a spacer with mouthpiece, miss a critical step in inhaler technique, according to a study published online April 8 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Sleeping Pill Use Tied to Greater Need for BP Meds in Older Adults

WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Consumption of sleeping pills is linked to a subsequent increase in the number of antihypertensive drugs taken among older adults, according to a study published online March 25 in Geriatrics & Gerontology International.

Abstract/Full Text

Informational Film Improves Knowledge on Lung Cancer Screening

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An informational film can improve knowledge and reduce decisional conflict for individuals considering participating in lung cancer screening, according to a study published online April 19 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

National Hand Hygiene Initiative Successful in Australia

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) has successfully sustained improvement in hand hygiene compliance, according to a study recently published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases and presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, held from April 13 to 16 in Amsterdam.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
More Information

Loan Forgiveness, Educational Debt May Affect Practice Patterns

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Increased educational debt appears to directly influence physician practice choice, according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

Abstract/Full Text

Short Hospital Stays After Lung Surgery Do Not Up Readmissions

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In patients treated within an advanced recovery pathway, early discharge after anatomic lung resection does not increase the risk for readmission, according to a study recently published online in Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Sixty People Charged in Massive Opioid Painkiller Investigation

THURSDAY, April 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Fifty-three medical professionals, including 31 doctors, are among the 60 people charged by U.S. authorities for their alleged involvement in the illegal prescribing and distribution of opioid painkillers.

AP News Article

Infections May Up Risk for Developing Sjögren Syndrome

THURSDAY, April 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with a history of infection have double the risk for developing Sjögren syndrome, according to a study published online March 20 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Some Patients With Imminently Fatal Cancer Undergo Treatment

WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Some patients with imminently fatal de novo metastatic cancer undergo treatment, according to a study published online April 15 in JNCI: Cancer Spectrum.

Abstract/Full Text
Editorial

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effective for Prenatal Insomnia

TUESDAY, April 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective nonpharmacologic treatment for insomnia during pregnancy, according to a study published online April 5 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Standardizing Demographics Ups Accuracy of Patient Matching

MONDAY, April 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Standardizing demographic data can improve the accuracy of patient matching, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

AEDs Tied to Higher Pneumonia Risk in Alzheimer Patients

MONDAY, April 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Antiepileptic drug (AED) use may increase the risk for pneumonia in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), according to a study recently published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Abstract/Full Text

Foreign Body Ingestions Increasingly Common in Young Children

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Foreign-body ingestions (FBIs) are common in children aged younger than 6 years and have increased over time, according to a study published online April 12 in Pediatrics.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Cytomegalovirus Linked to Faster Progression of Cystic Fibrosis

THURSDAY, April 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), cytomegalovirus (CMV) is associated with faster disease progression, according to a research letter published online April 7 in the European Respiratory Journal.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Domestic Responsibilities Tied to Physician Mothers’ Satisfaction

THURSDAY, April 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For physician mothers in procedural specialties, being responsible for five or more domestic tasks is associated with an increased likelihood of career dissatisfaction, according to a study published online April 10 in JAMA Surgery.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Four Million New Peds Asthma Cases Attributed to NO2 Annually

THURSDAY, April 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An estimated 4.0 million new pediatric asthma cases could be attributed to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution annually, according to a study published online April 10 in The Lancet Planetary Health.

Abstract/Full Text
Editorial

Same Services More Expensive in Outpatient Than Office Settings

WEDNESDAY, April 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The same services are more expensive when performed in outpatient versus office settings, according to a blog post from the Health Care Cost Institute.

More Information

New, Revised Topics Released in ACR Appropriateness Criteria

TUESDAY, April 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The latest edition of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria has been released and includes 188 diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology topics, with 908 clinical variants covering more than 1,670 clinical scenarios.

More Information

Continued Smoking Among Cancer Patients Ups Costs by $3.4B

TUESDAY, April 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Continued smoking among patients with cancer and the associated increase in attributable first-line cancer treatment failure is tied to significant incremental costs for subsequent cancer treatments, according to a study published online April 5 in JAMA Network Open.

Abstract/Full Text
Editorial

Alcohol, Drug Misuse Tied to Long-Term Health Problems

MONDAY, April 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than one-third of U.S. adults in recovery for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use have health problems related to previous substance use, according to a study published online March 16 in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Preventive Drugs Often Used in Last Year of a Cancer Patient’s Life

MONDAY, April 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Preventive drugs are frequently used in the last year of life among older adults with cancer, according to a study published online March 25 in Cancer.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Telemedicine Leads to More Antibiotic Rx for Pediatric Respiratory Infection

MONDAY, April 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs), antibiotic prescribing is higher and guideline-concordant antibiotic management is lower with direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine visits compared with other settings, according to a study published online April 8 in Pediatrics.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

CDC: TB Incidence Declined Slightly in United States in 2017

MONDAY, April 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2017, tuberculosis (TB) incidence declined in the United States and modest progress was made toward global TB elimination, according to two studies published in the March 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Abstract/Full Text – Talwar
Abstract/Full Text – MacNeil

October May Be Best Time for Older Adults to Receive Flu Shot

FRIDAY, April 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — It may be best for older adults to wait until October to receive their flu vaccine, unless that delay would cause them to skip getting their flu shot altogether, according to a study published in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

CDC: Prevalence of COPD High Among Some Nonsmokers

FRIDAY, April 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among individuals who have never smoked is high in certain industries and occupations, according to research published in the April 5 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Abstract/Full Text

Short Sleep Duration, Not OSA, Linked to Daytime Sleepiness

THURSDAY, April 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Short sleep duration (SSD) is associated with daytime sleepiness, while obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, according to a study published online April 1 in CHEST.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Heart, Lungs From Hep C-Infected Donor Can Be Transplanted Safely

WEDNESDAY, April 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Hearts and lungs from donors with hepatitis C viremia can be safely transplanted into patients without hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to a study published online April 3 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Late Preterm Steroid Therapy Found to Be Cost-Effective

WEDNESDAY, April 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In women at high risk for late preterm delivery, antenatal treatment with betamethasone is a cost-effective strategy, according to a study published online March 11 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Americans Borrowed $88 Billion in Past Year to Pay for Health Care

TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — About one in eight Americans borrowed a total of $88 billion in the past year to pay for health care, a new West Health-Gallup survey shows.

CNN Article
West Health-Gallup Survey

Sex Hormone Levels May Impact Development of Asthma

TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Sex hormones may impact the risk for asthma, with elevated sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) demonstrating a protective effect in females, according to research recently published in Thorax.

Abstract/Full Text

Over-the-Counter Meds Save Health Care System Money

TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — On average, each dollar spent on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines saves the U.S. health care system $7.20, totaling nearly $146 billion in annual savings, according to a report released March 18 by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA).

More Information

Discharge, Interhospital Transfer Varies With Insurance Status

MONDAY, April 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Uninsured patients and Medicaid beneficiaries with acute pulmonary diseases have higher odds of interhospital transfer, according to a study published online April 1 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Doctors Unclear on Legal Obligations in Caring for Patients With Disability

MONDAY, April 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Practicing physicians might not understand their legal responsibilities when caring for people with disability, which may contribute to inequalities in their care, according to a study published online April 1 in Health Affairs.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Nasopharyngeal Microbiota Could Help Diagnose Pediatric LRTIs

MONDAY, April 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nasopharyngeal microbiota seem to serve as a valid proxy for lower respiratory tract microbiota in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) among children, according to a study published online March 15 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Copyright © 2019 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.