Top news of July: Metabolic syndrome in sleep apnea, best hospitals for pulmonology and more

The Healio Editors compiled the most-read news in pulmonology posted in July.

Highlights include the top-ranked U.S. hospitals for pulmonology and lung surgery; new research that found untreated sleep apnea may affect Alzheimer’s disease; frequent cough as an indicator of adverse asthma and COPD outcomes; ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with COVID-19; respiratory-related ED visits and hospitalizations in cannabis users; and more.

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

Most with sleep apnea still have metabolic syndrome after CPAP therapy

Most patients with obstructive sleep apnea retained their metabolic syndrome diagnosis after CPAP therapy, despite higher rates of reversibility after treatment, according to findings of a randomized trial published in Chest. Read more

Mayo Clinic ranked No. 1 in US for pulmonology and lung surgery

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, was ranked No. 1 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Hospitals for pulmonology and lung surgery. Read more

Ventilator-associated pneumonia ‘a major factor’ for poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19

In a new study, ventilator-associated pneumonia-related mortality was higher among patients with COVID-19 compared with those without COVID-19, with more than 9% of overall mortality attributable to ventilator-associated pneumonia. Read more

Women with PAH have ‘unique challenges’ around sexual health-related quality of life

A new study highlights significant burdens and challenges regarding sexual health-related quality of life for women with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Read more

Increased exposure to green spaces during childhood could improve lung function

Children with increased exposure to nature during childhood had improved lung function in later life, according to study findings published in European Respiratory Journal. Read more

Odds of respiratory-related ED visits, hospitalizations not higher among cannabis users

Researchers for a new study found no significant association between cannabis use and respiratory-related ED visits or hospitalizations, but greater risk for morbidity, all-cause ED visit or hospitalization among cannabis users. Read more

Frequent cough important indicator of adverse outcomes in asthma, COPD

Untreated sleep apnea may impact risk for Alzheimer’s disease

A new study demonstrated that obstructive sleep apnea has an acute effect on biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and the ability to measure such biomarkers from blood. Read more

Menthol cigarettes increase smoking frequency, nicotine dependence in US youths

Use of menthol cigarettes was associated with increased smoking frequency and nicotine dependence among youths in the U.S., according to data published in JAMA Network Open. Read more

Systematic racial differences exist in ICU admission among certain ethnicities

In a new study, researchers reported systematic racial differences in ICU admission patterns among patients with acute respiratory failure and sepsis who are Asian, Pacific Islander and Hispanic. Read more