Top news of February: COVID-19 anxiety and asthma, pulse oximeter inaccuracy risk and more

The Healio Editors have compiled a list of the most-read news in pulmonology published in February.

Highlights from the last month include updates from the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s Critical Care Congress; an FDA safety communication about the potential limitations and risk for inaccuracy with pulse oximeters; a decrease in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis mortality; and more.

Read these articles, and others, below, in no particular order.

Outcomes of patients with COVID-19 vary by level of organ support, age

New data from the International Viral Infection and Respiratory Illness Universal Study Registry highlight variation in outcomes of patients with COVID-19 by type and combination of organ support therapy and age. Read more

High anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic may be risk factor for clinical worsening of asthma

High anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic is a potential risk factor for clinical worsening of severe asthma and decline in quality of life, researchers reported. Read more

Surgical treatment for OSA tied to lower rates of CV, endocrine, neurological complications

Soft tissue surgery for obstructive sleep apnea was associated with lower risk for cardiovascular, neurological and endocrine systemic complications compared with CPAP in a large cohort of U.S. adults, researchers reported. Read more

COVID-19 restrictions tied to lower rates of respiratory viruses in the community

Shelter-in-place orders at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. appear to be associated with significantly lower rates of common community respiratory viruses, including influenza and rhinovirus. Read more

IPF mortality in US decreased from 2004 to 2017

Age-adjusted mortality rates for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis decreased from 2004 to 2017 in the United States, according to a new study published in CHEST. Read more

Eosinophilia in patients with asthma may be protective against severe COVID-19

Eosinophilia may be an important predictive factor for COVID-19-associated hospital admission and decreased mortality in patients with asthma, according to data published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Read more

FDA: Pulse oximeters have limitations, risk for inaccuracy under certain circumstances

The FDA issued a safety communication to inform health care providers and the public that pulse oximeters have limitations and a risk for inaccuracy under certain circumstances. Read more

Inhaled hyaluronan improves lung function in patients with severe COPD: pilot study

Inhaled high-molecular-weight hyaluronan shortened the duration of respiratory failure and need for noninvasive ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, according to results of a pilot study published in Respiratory Research. Read more

High frequency of intubation-related major events in critically ill patients: INTUBE

The frequency of tracheal intubation-related major adverse events, including cardiovascular instability, was high in a cohort of critically ill patients in the international INTUBE study. Read more

Marketing authorization issued for device to reduce snoring, mild obstructive sleep apnea

The FDA has authorized the marketing of eXciteOSA, a prescription device for the reduction of snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea, according to a press release. Read more