Top news of September: COVID-19, asthma triggers in the office, high temperatures and COPD

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

Highlights from the previous month include a study on the association of systemic corticosteroids and biologics with COVID-19 outcomes; the impact of COVID-19 on long-term lung function in children and adolescents; news from the European Respiratory Society International Congress; and more.

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

New report shows high, continued vaccine effectiveness against severe COVID-19

A Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reported little change in incidence rate ratios for hospitalization and death from severe COVID-19 after the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant reached predominance in 13 U.S. jurisdictions. Read more

Virus, vaccines and ventilators: Reflections of a pandemic fellow

In this Editorial, Abhishek Bhardwaj, MD, FACP, fellow in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Cleveland Clinic and host of Healio’s podcast Vital Capacity, reflects on his time as a fellow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Office environment exposures may trigger asthma in some employees

Wide-ranging office work exposures were associated with the development of asthma in some employees, according to new research presented at the virtual ERS International Congress. Read more

Increasing temperatures linked to worsening COPD symptoms

Warmer weather was associated with worsening COPD symptoms, as early as 2 days after a rise in ambient temperature, in adults with COPD, according to data presented at the virtual ERS International Congress. Read more

Use of systemic corticosteroids linked with worse COVID-19 outcomes

In a new study, approved asthma biologics and systemic corticosteroids were not associated with an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection, but use of systemic corticosteroids was linked with worse COVID-19 outcomes. Read more

Physical activity during pregnancy may affect lung function in offspring

Research presented at the ERS International Congress demonstrated a link between lower lung function in infants born to physically inactive mothers compared with those born to physically active mothers. Read more

Inhaled budesonide in early symptomatic COVID-19 reduced need for urgent care

Inhaled budesonide twice daily administered early in the course of COVID-19 reduced the need for urgent medical care, according to results of the STOIC trial presented at the virtual ERS International Congress. Read more

Breathing exercises improve quality of life regardless of asthma severity

In patients with uncontrolled moderate to severe asthma, breathing exercises in addition to usual care improved quality of life, despite asthma severity, researchers reported at the ERS International Congress. Read more

Pediatric ICU admissions significantly decreased during COVID-19 pandemic

In the U.S., pediatric ICU admissions showed significant changes in diseases seen in patients and a substantial decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to findings published in Chest. Read more

COVID-19 does not appear to impact long-term lung function in children, young adults

Lung function in children and young adults was not impaired after COVID-19, apart from those who had severe COVID-19, according to two studies presented at the virtual ERS International Congress. Read more