Top news of April: J&J COVID-19 vaccine, air pollution in the US and more

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

Highlights from the last month include updates on the CDC advisory group’s recommendation to resume use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine; COVID-19 hospitalization risk among those with preexisting asthma/COPD; the American Lung Association’s State of the Air annual report; a new therapy approved for treatment of pulmonary hypertension-associated interstitial lung disease; and more.

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

CDC advisory group recommends resuming use of J&J COVID-19 vaccine

On April 23, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend resuming the use of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in Americans aged 18 years and older. Read more

4 in 10 Americans live in areas with unhealthy pollution levels

More than 40% of Americans live in areas with unhealthy pollution levels, and people of color are three times as likely to live in a county with polluted air, according to the American Lung Association’s 2021 State of the Air report. Read more

FDA approves inhaled treprostinil for pulmonary hypertension associated with ILD

The FDA approved inhaled treprostinil for the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease, according to a press release from United Therapeutics. Read more

Pollution exposure, preexisting asthma or COPD may raise odds of COVID-19 hospitalization

Among patients with COVID-19 and preexisting asthma or COPD, long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with higher odds for hospitalization, according to results of a pilot study published in Respiratory Medicine. Read more

American Academy of Sleep Medicine updates guidance on telemedicine for sleep disorders

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine released an update highlighting the benefits of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Read more

Chronic bronchitis in young adults linked with recurrent respiratory infections

Chronic bronchitis in young adults is associated with recurrent respiratory infections and early-life exposures, according to findings published in the European Respiratory Journal. Read more

Study highlights reduction in asthma exacerbations during COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers reported a significant decline in asthma exacerbations during the COVID-19 pandemic across all age groups, sexes and most regions in England. Read more

Rituximab safe, potentially effective adjuvant treatment for systemic sclerosis-PAH

B-cell depletion with rituximab was safe and may be a potentially effective treatment for patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. Read more

Treating obstructive sleep apnea may lower risk for dementia

In a recent study, positive airway pressure treatment was associated with a lower likelihood of incident Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea. Read more

Home oxygen for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia conferred low mortality, readmission

Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who were discharged from the hospital on home oxygen had low rates of mortality and readmission within 30 days, according to new data published in JAMA Network Open. Read more