Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pulmonology for September 2017. 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.
Embezzlement Widespread in Medical Practices
FRIDAY, Sept. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Embezzlement is widespread among medical practices, and knowing the warning signs is helpful for preventing it, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Meditation May Help With Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
FRIDAY, Sept. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Meditation may be considered as an adjunct to guideline-directed cardiovascular risk reduction, although the benefits need to be more fully established, according to a scientific statement published online Sept. 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Pioglitazone Improves Left Ventricular Diastolic Function
FRIDAY, Sept. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Pioglitazone improves whole-body and myocardial insulin sensitivity, left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, and systolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a small study published online Sept. 22 in Diabetes Care.
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Checkpoint Inhibitors No Less Safe With Radiation
FRIDAY, Sept. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Immune-related adverse events (IRAEs), including pneumonitis, are not more common in patients with metastatic lung cancer who receive both immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) and thoracic radiotherapy (TRT), according to a research letter published online Sept. 28 in JAMA Oncology.
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Accurate Lung Cancer Staging Depends on Quality Nodal Exam
FRIDAY, Sept. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The prognostic value of pathologic nodal (pN) stratification depends on the thoroughness of nodal examination in the staging of non-small-cell lung cancer, according to a study published online Sept. 28 in JAMA Oncology.
End-Stage Renal Disease Patients’ Readmission Rate High
FRIDAY, Sept. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Nearly a quarter of hospital admissions among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD) have a subsequent 30-day unplanned readmission, according to a study published online Sept. 28 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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More Than 78 Percent of Health Care Personnel Receive Flu Shot
THURSDAY, Sept. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than 78 percent of health care personnel (HCP) and 53.6 percent of pregnant women received influenza vaccination during the 2016-2017 influenza season, according to two studies published in the Sept. 29 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Pneumococcal Vaccine for Only Half With Work-Related Asthma
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adults with work-related asthma are more likely that those with non-work-related asthma to have received pneumococcal vaccination, although only 53.7 percent with work-related asthma have been vaccinated, according to a study published online Sept. 27 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Infusion of Umbilical Cord Stem Cells Safe, Effective in HFrEF
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Intravenous infusion of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) is safe and efficacious for patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), according to a study published online Sept. 26 in Circulation Research.
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Working With a Scribe Improves Physician Satisfaction
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Working with a scribe significantly improves physicians’ overall satisfaction, satisfaction with chart quality and accuracy, and charting efficiency, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in the Annals of Family Medicine.
Cancer Risk Up for RA Patients With Venous Thromboembolism
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) have increased risk of cancer in the first year after VTE and during a longer follow-up period, according to a study published online Sept. 15 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
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Fragmented QRS Predicts Cardiac Death During Exercise
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Fragmented QRS complex may predict risk of exercise-related sudden cardiac death, according to a study published online Sept. 20 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
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Chronic Respiratory Disease Mortality Up From 1980 to 2014
TUESDAY, Sept. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 1980 to 2014 there was a considerable increase in mortality from chronic respiratory diseases in the United States, according to a study published in the Sept. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Low-Dose Oxygen No Benefit in Adults With Acute Stroke
TUESDAY, Sept. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The prophylactic use of low-dose oxygen does not reduce death or disability at three months among patients with acute stroke, according to a study published in the Sept. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Tibetan Yoga Improves Sleep Quality During Chemo
MONDAY, Sept. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Participation in a Tibetan yoga program (TYP) during chemotherapy results in modest, short-term benefits in sleep quality, with long-term benefits seen over time for those who practice at least two times a week, according to a study published online Sept. 20 in Cancer.
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Worker Contribution to Health Benefits Up in 2017
MONDAY, Sept. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In 2017, health benefits coverage remained stable, while workers faced considerable variation in costs, according to a report published online Sept. 19 in Health Affairs.
Few Older Patients Aware of Deprescribing
FRIDAY, Sept. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The majority of older patients are aware of medication harms, but far fewer understand deprescribing, according to a brief report published online Sept. 15 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Pulse Ox + Auscultation Reliable for Congenital Heart Screening
FRIDAY, Sept. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Pulse oximetry (POX) plus cardiac auscultation is a reliable method for neonatal congenital heart disease screening, according to a study published online Sept. 22 in Pediatrics.
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Montelukast Associated With Nightmares, Depression
THURSDAY, Sept. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Montelukast appears to be linked to neuropsychiatric side effects, such as depression, aggression, nightmares, and headaches, according to a review published online Sept. 20 in Pharmacology Research and Perspectives.
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Insurer Market Power Lowers Providers’ Prices
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Insurers have the bargaining power to reduce provider prices in highly concentrated provider markets, according to a report published in the September issue of Health Affairs.
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General, Central Obesity Linked to Specific Breast Cancer Risk
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — General and central obesity are associated with breast cancer risk, with different effects on specific subtypes, according to a study published online Sept. 14 in The Oncologist.
Type 2 Myocardial Infarction Definition Impacts Prognosis
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Definition of type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) using a method that does not require the presence of coronary artery disease is associated with a lower event-related mortality rate, according to a study published in the Sept. 26 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Attempts to Prevent Tongue Swallowing Hinder Resuscitation
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For athletes with cardiac arrest, attempts to prevent tongue swallowing are an obstacle to resuscitation, according to a study published online Sept. 19 in HeartRhythm.
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Total of 0.21 Years Lost Due to Opioid-Related Poisoning Deaths
TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 2000 to 2015, drug-poisoning deaths contributed a loss of 0.28 years in life expectancy, according to a research letter published in the Sept. 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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ACP Does Not Support Legalization of Assisted Suicide
TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Physicians (ACP) does not support the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, a practice that raises ethical, clinical, and other concerns, according to a position paper published online Sept. 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Deaths, Cardiac Arrest Not Rare in Triathlon Participants
TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of deaths or cardiac arrest is 1.74 per 100,000 USA Triathlon participants, according to a study published online Sept. 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Half of Repeat Antibiotics in Australia Extend Initial Rx
TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Half of repeat antibiotic dispensings in Australia are used to extend the initial course, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
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CPAP Telemonitoring Improves 90-Day Adherence
TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The use of continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) telemonitoring with automated feedback messaging improves 90-day adherence in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study published online Aug. 31 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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Expected Burden of Lung Cancer High for People Living With HIV
MONDAY, Sept. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For people living with HIV (PLWH), the expected burden of lung cancer is high, if smoking habits do not change, according to a study published online Sept. 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Postmarketing Adverse Events Low for CardioMEMS HF System
MONDAY, Sept. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Postmarketing adverse events related to the CardioMEMS HF System are infrequent, but can be serious, according to a research letter published online Sept. 18 in JAMA Cardiology.
Physicians Tweeting About Drugs May Have Conflict of Interest
FRIDAY, Sept. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most physicians on Twitter with a financial conflict of interest (FCOI) and frequent tweets mention specific drugs for which they have a conflict, according to a study published in the September issue of The Lancet Haematology.
Hospital Quality Independently Impacts Readmission Rates
FRIDAY, Sept. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Hospital quality contributes to readmission rates independent of factors involving patients, according to a study published in the Sept. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Doctors Spend Almost Six Hours Per Day on EHR Tasks
FRIDAY, Sept. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Physicians spend almost six hours per day in the electronic health record (EHR), with 4.5 hours spent during clinic hours and 1.4 hours spent after clinic hours, according to a study published in the September/October issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
‘Science Spin’ Found Prevalent in Biomedical Literature
FRIDAY, Sept. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Spin in biomedical literature (also referred to as “science hype”) is prevalent, with trials having the highest and greatest variability in the prevalence of spin, according to a review published online Sept. 11 in PLOS Biology.
Assay Can ID M. tuberculosis Resistance Mutations
THURSDAY, Sept. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An automated molecular assay can detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis with resistance to drugs directly from sputum specimens, according to a study published in the Sept. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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FDA Approves First Biosimilar Drug for Cancer
THURSDAY, Sept. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The first biosimilar drug to treat cancer has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Ablating Non-Pulmonary Vein Triggers Improves A-Fib Outcome
THURSDAY, Sept. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with two or more failed pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures, ablating non-PV triggers is associated with improved outcomes, according to a study published online Aug. 25 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
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Some Aspects of Empathy Improve During Medical Training
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Certain aspects of empathy improve during medical student training, according to a study published online Sept. 7 in Medical Education.
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AACR Releases 2017 Cancer Progress Report
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The age-adjusted U.S. cancer death rate decreased 25 percent from 1991 to 2014, which translates into 2.1 million fewer cancer deaths, according to an annual progress report published by the American Association for Cancer Research.
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Are Physicians Obligated to Help on Planes?
TUESDAY, Sept. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Does being a physician carry a moral obligation to respond to calls for medical assistance on airplanes? That is the topic of an article published in the Sept. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Distal Bicep Tendon Rip Tied to Transthyretin Amyloidosis
TUESDAY, Sept. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Rupture of the distal biceps tendon (RBT) in a patient with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction should raise suspicion for wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt), according to a research letter published in the Sept. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Antibiotic Rx Adherence Varies Widely in Sickle Cell Care
TUESDAY, Sept. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adherence to antibiotic guidelines for acute chest syndrome (ACS) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) varies widely, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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Median Cost of Cancer Drug Development $648.0 Million
MONDAY, Sept. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The median cost of cancer drug development is $648.0 million, and revenue after approval is substantial, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
‘Modest at Best’ Discriminatory Ability for CBC Test in Infants
MONDAY, Sept. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Complete blood cell count parameters at commonly used or optimal thresholds do not offer high accuracy in identifying invasive bacterial infections (IBIs) in febrile infants (≤60 days of age), according to a study published online Sept. 11 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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Online Therapy for Insomnia Linked to Improved Mental Health
MONDAY, Sept. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For university students with insomnia, digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is associated with reductions in insomnia, paranoia, and hallucinations, according to a study published online Sept. 6 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
Airway Mucin Concentrations May Help Predict Chronic Bronchitis
FRIDAY, Sept. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Airway mucin concentrations may be a marker for chronic bronchitis, according to a study published online Sept. 6 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Zoonotic Chlamydia caviae Tied to Community-Acquired Pneumonia
FRIDAY, Sept. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Three cases of community-acquired pneumonia involving Chlamydia caviae after exposure to ill guinea pigs have been described, according to a research letter published online Sept. 6 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Statins Tied to Reduced Mortality Risk in COPD
FRIDAY, Sept. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Statin use is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause and pulmonary-related mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published online Sept. 7 in Chest.
Center Surgical Volume Linked to LVAD Patient Outcomes
FRIDAY, Sept. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Center surgical volume is associated with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patient outcomes, with worse survival at very-low-volume centers, according to a study published online Sept. 6 in JACC: Heart Failure.
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Budget Cuts Threaten Research on Antimicrobial Resistance
THURSDAY, Sept. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Proposed budget cuts could seriously hamper efforts to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), according to an article published online Sept. 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Reduced Asthma Exacerbations Seen With Tezepelumab
THURSDAY, Sept. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with uncontrolled asthma despite treatment with long-acting beta-agonists and medium-to-high doses of inhaled glucocorticoids, tezepelumab is associated with a significant reduction in asthma exacerbations, according to a study published online Sept. 6 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Tiotropium Effective in Mild to Moderate COPD
THURSDAY, Sept. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Tiotropium appears to be effective at improving lung function in patients with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published online Sept. 6 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Knowledge on Primary Prevention ICD Use Found Lacking
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Referring physicians have limited knowledge regarding indications for primary prevention implantable defibrillator (ICD) use, according to a study published online Aug. 25 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
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Universal Sequencing of Cancer Genes Ups Mutation Detection
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Universal sequencing of a broad panel of cancer-related genes is associated with increased detection of potentially clinically significant heritable mutations, according to a study published online Sept. 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Docs Should Be Aware of Family Beliefs Regarding Nondisclosure
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should be aware of societal codes of conduct that affect family beliefs and behaviors regarding information disclosure to pediatric patients, according to a study published online Sept. 5 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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Racial Variation in Antibiotic Prescribing for Viral ARTI
TUESDAY, Sept. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic children are less likely than non-Hispanic white children to receive antibiotics for viral acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) in the pediatric emergency department (PED), according to a study published online Sept. 5 in Pediatrics.
CYP2C9 Variants Linked to Clinical Events in VTE
TUESDAY, Sept. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For elderly patients treated with vitamin K antagonists for venous thromboembolism (VTE), CYP2C9 variants are associated with any clinical event, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
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More Research Needed for Vitamin D’s Cardiac Effect in PCI
TUESDAY, Sept. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More research is needed to assess the role of vitamin D in the prevention of periprocedural myocardial injury, according to a study published online Aug. 25 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
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Child Flu Vaccination Down When Nasal Spray Unavailable
FRIDAY, Sept. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Seasonal flu immunization rates among children appear to have dropped slightly after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against the nasal spray version of the vaccine, according to a study published online recently in Vaccine.
β-2 Adrenergic Agonists May Help Fight Parkinson’s Disease
FRIDAY, Sept. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — β-2 adrenergic agonists might be able to combat Parkinson’s disease, according to a study published in the Sept. 1 issue of Science.
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Suicide Risk Up in Younger Patients With Chronic Illness
FRIDAY, Sept. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Young adults with chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide as their healthy peers, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.
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Electronic Alert Doesn’t Up Appropriate Thromboprophylaxis
FRIDAY, Sept. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A computer-based alert system with a Geneva Risk Score calculation tool in the electronic patient chart does not improve appropriate thromboprophylaxis in patients admitted to general medical wards, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
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Low Incidence of Adverse Events for A-Fib Catheter Ablation
FRIDAY, Sept. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of adverse events (AEs) is low for patients undergoing catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Aug. 30 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.
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Crosstalk Identified Between Adipose Tissue, Carcinomas
FRIDAY, Sept. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is organ-dependent crosstalk between adipose tissue and carcinomas in various organs, according to a review published in the September issue of Cancer Prevention Research.
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