May 2010 Briefing - Pulmonology

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pulmonology for May 2010. 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.

Early Antibiotics in COPD Hospitalizations Beneficial

TUESDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients hospitalized for exacerbations of their illness who receive antibiotic treatment within the first two days of their hospitalization fare better than those who do not, according to research published in the May 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

β-Blockers May Be Beneficial in Treating COPD

MONDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients taking β-blockers may have a decreased risk of exacerbations, as well as a decreased mortality risk, according to research published in the May 24 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

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

Erlotinib Significantly Improves Survival in Advanced NSCLC

FRIDAY, May 21 (HealthDay News) -- Maintenance therapy with erlotinib for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer given immediately after initial chemotherapy is well-tolerated and significantly prolongs progression-free survival, according to research published online May 20 in The Lancet Oncology.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Muscle Fatigue Linked to Decreased Postural Stability

THURSDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with no low back pain who have had inspiratory muscles fatigue (IMF) use a postural control strategy similar to that of patients with low back pain, resulting in decreased postural stability and suggesting that IMF might have a role in the high recurrence rate of low back pain (LBP), according to research published in the May 1 issue of Spine.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Botox Injections Resolve Chronic Cough

THURSDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- Injection with botulinum toxin type A (BtxA) can resolve chronic cough caused by laryngeal hypertonicity and neuroplastic changes, according to research published in the May issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Antibiotic Resistance May Persist Months After Treatment

WEDNESDAY, May 19 (HealthDay News) -- After a course of antibiotics for respiratory or urinary tract infection, an individual is likely to develop resistance to the antibiotic that may persist for up to 12 months, according to research published online May 18 in the BMJ.

Abstract
Full Text

TB Global Fight Still Has a Way to Go

WEDNESDAY, May 19 (HealthDay News) -- Even though 36 million people worldwide were cured of tuberculosis and 6 million lives were saved between 1995 and 2008, the disease still takes a substantial toll and long-term goals for its eradication may not be met, according to a paper published online May 19 in The Lancet, the first in a series of papers on tuberculosis.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Sildenafil of Mixed Value in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

TUESDAY, May 18 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, treatment with sildenafil does not significantly increase walking distance compared to placebo but may be associated with some symptomatic improvements, according to a study published online May 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with presentation at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in New Orleans.

Abstract
Full Text

CPAP Found Feasible for Extremely Preterm Infants

MONDAY, May 17 (HealthDay News) -- In extremely preterm infants, early treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be a viable alternative to early treatment with intubation and surfactant, according to a study published online May 16 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with presentation at the annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society, held from May 14 to 19 in New Orleans. The study also found that a lower target range of oxygen saturation does not reduce a composite of severe retinopathy or death and may be associated with increased mortality.

Abstract - Finer
Full Text
Abstract - Carlo
Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
More Information

Many General Internists Leave Field by Mid-Career

FRIDAY, May 14 (HealthDay News) -- Roughly one out of six general internists are leaving internal medicine by mid-career, a substantially higher proportion compared to internal medicine subspecialists, according to survey results published April 29 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

FDA and GE Issue Class I Recall of Anesthesia Systems

THURSDAY, May 13 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and GE Healthcare have alerted health care professionals of a Class I recall of specific lots of Aisys and Avance Anesthesia Systems due to a defect in the control board wiring harnesses.

More Information

Maternal Vitamin A Improves Offspring's Lung Function

WEDNESDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- Maternal vitamin A supplementation before, during, and after pregnancy in an undernourished population appears to result in improved lung function in offspring, according to a study reported in the May 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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

New FDA Program Targets Misleading Drug Advertising

WEDNESDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced the launch of a new program to educate health care providers regarding their role in making certain that advertisements and promotions for prescription drugs are truthful and not misleading.

badad@fda.gov
More Information

COPD Exacerbations May Raise Risk of Cardiovascular Events

TUESDAY, May 11 (HealthDay News) -- Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) appear to increase the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, according to research published in the May issue of Chest.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

AHA Cites New Evidence for Air Pollution's Role in Heart Events

MONDAY, May 10 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to particulate matter (PM) less than 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) has a causal role in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, even if the exposure is not long term, and it is a modifiable risk factor, according to an update to an American Heart Association scientific statement published online May 10 in Circulation.

Abstract
Full Text

Bronchoscopy Skills Acquired Faster With Simulation Training

MONDAY, May 10 (HealthDay News) -- The rate at which bronchoscopy skills are learned can be enhanced by certain educational interventions, and these skills can be evaluated via performance-based metrics, according to research published in the May issue of Chest.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Pneumococcal Vaccine Not Found to Reduce Heart Risks

TUESDAY, May 4 (HealthDay News) -- In older men, receipt of pneumococcal vaccine is not linked to a reduced risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, according to a study in the May 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
www.healthday.com