Top news of April: Nasal spray for OSA, lawsuit filed against FDA
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Healio has compiled the most-read news in pulmonology posted in April.
Highlights include a nasal spray treatment that lessened sleep apnea severity in patients who achieved upper airway collapsibility improvement; a lawsuit filed against the FDA over inaction on banning menthol cigarettes; findings from the American Lung Association’s 2024 State of the Air report; a study showing that habitual waterpipe smokers had elevated blood pressure and heart rate following 30-minute use; varying pulmonary arterial hypertension characteristics, mortality and treatment across U.S. census regions; and more.
Read these and other top stories in pulmonology below:
Nasal spray treatment lessens sleep apnea severity in select patients
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea who achieved upper airway collapsibility improvement with a drug administered via nasal spray also had lower disease severity after use of the spray, according to results published in American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulatory Physiology. Read more.
Lawsuit filed against FDA over inaction on banning menthol cigarettes
Three health groups have filed a lawsuit against the FDA over a delay in finalizing the proposed rule banning menthol cigarettes, according to a press release from one of the groups. Also, Albert Rizzo, MD, FACP, of the American Lung Association, shares his Perspective. Read more.
2024 State of the Air report: 39% of Americans breathe polluted, unhealthy air daily
Implementing the recent stronger standard for fine particulate pollution revealed that 131 million Americans breathe unhealthy, polluted air where they live, according to a press release from the American Lung Association. Read more.
Waterpipe smoking session heightens blood pressure, heart rate in habitual users
Among habitual waterpipe smokers, brachial and aortic blood pressure, as well as heart rate, rose after 30-minute outdoor use of the pipe, according to results published in CHEST. Also, Christy Sadreameli, MD, MHS, national volunteer medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association, shares her Perspective. Read more.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension characteristics, mortality vary across US
Among adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension, patient characteristics, mortality and treatment varied across four U.S. census regions, according to results published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Read more.
Q&A: Uncovering why people develop acute respiratory distress syndrome
The reason behind acute respiratory distress syndrome development in some patients suffering with severe respiratory illness and not others is unknown, but recent research suggests a possible explanation. Healio spoke with Joseph Zasadzinski, PhD, of the University of Minnesota, to learn more. Read more.
Ensifentrine improves outcomes in COPD, but unlikely to be cost effective
When added to maintenance therapy for moderate to severe COPD, ensifentrine improves lung function and exacerbation rate vs. placebo, according to a draft evidence report by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review. Also, Mike Hess, MPH, RRT, RPFT, of the COPD Foundation, shares his Perspective. Read more.
Online inhaler technique resources often overlook critical steps
Websites focused on inhaler technique frequently overlook important preparation steps and device care/maintenance, according to results published in Respiratory Medicine. Also, Tori Martel, MPH, of the Allergy and Asthma Network, shares her Perspective. Read more.
Local air pollutants raise asthma-related ED visit rate, may contribute to disparities
Asthma-related ED visit rates rose with exposure to local fine particulate matter, coarse particulate matter and sulfur dioxide, according to results published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Read more.
Race-neutral lung function equations impact spirometry interpretation
Use of race-neutral vs. race-specific lung function equations led to different interpretations of spirometry findings, especially among Black individuals, according to results published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Also, J. Henry Brems, MD, MBE, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, shares his Perspective. Read more.