Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pulmonology for October 2019. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Close to 1,900 Cases of Vaping-Linked Lung Illness Reported, CDC Says
THURSDAY, Oct. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of Americans stricken with a severe, sometimes fatal lung illness tied to vaping has now reached 1,888, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. That is a rise from the 1,604 case total from a week ago.
Juul Shipped Tainted Products, Lawsuit Alleges
THURSDAY, Oct. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nearly 1 million tainted nicotine pods were knowingly distributed by electronic cigarette maker Juul Labs, a former company finance executive claims in a lawsuit.
J&J Says No Asbestos Detected in New Tests of Baby Powder
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — No asbestos was detected in 15 new tests of the same bottle of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder previously found to contain asbestos by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the company said Tuesday.
CBS News Article
J&J Press Release
Groups Urge Ban of Mint, Menthol E-Cigarette Flavors
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The Trump administration must include mint and menthol in any plan to halt sales of flavored electronic cigarette products, more than 50 health and advocacy groups said Tuesday. The groups were responding to media reports that the administration may exempt mint and menthol, CNN reported.
Survey Reveals Many Americans Lack Cancer Prevention Knowledge
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Only one in four U.S. adults report incorporating cancer prevention into their daily lives, according to the results of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2019 National Cancer Opinion Survey.
High Fiber, Yogurt Intake Linked to Reduced Risk for Lung Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Dietary fiber and yogurt consumption are associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer, according to a pooled analysis published online Oct. 24 in JAMA Oncology.
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CDC: U.S. Life Expectancy Up Slightly, Mortality Lower in 2017
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Life expectancy has increased slightly in the United States, and mortality is lower than in 2007, according to a report published Oct. 30 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
Facebook Launches Preventive Health Tool
TUESDAY, Oct. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new tool designed to help guide preventive care for heart disease, cancer, and seasonal flu was launched in the United States Monday by Facebook.
CDC: Most Patients With Vaping-Related Lung Injury Report THC Use
TUESDAY, Oct. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most patients with electronic cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) reported use of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products in the three months preceding symptom onset, according to research published in the Oct. 28 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Outcomes Poor With Medical Care From Fraud, Abuse Perpetrators
MONDAY, Oct. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Receiving medical care from fraud and abuse perpetrators (FAPs), subsequently excluded from Medicare, is associated with higher rates of all-cause mortality and emergency hospitalization, according to a study published online Oct. 28 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Family Involvement Cuts Postop Delirium in Older Patients
FRIDAY, Oct. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The Tailored, Family-Involved Hospital Elder Life Program (t-HELP) is effective in reducing postoperative delirium (POD) for older patients, according to a Chinese study published online Oct. 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Bans on Flavored Products Can Cut Any Tobacco Use in Teens
FRIDAY, Oct. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Teen use of both flavored and nonflavored tobacco decreases with enforced flavored tobacco restriction policies, according to a study published online Oct. 24 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
CDC: Cases of Vaping-Linked Lung Illness Now Top 1,600
THURSDAY, Oct. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than 1,600 Americans have now been struck by a severe, sometimes fatal, lung illness tied to vaping, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.
FDA: N.J. Company Must Stop Selling Unapproved Flavored Vaping Products
THURSDAY, Oct. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Eonsmoke LLC has been ordered to halt illegal sales of 100 unapproved flavored vaping products in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
Poor Health Literacy Tied to More Hardships Among Cancer Survivors
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Health insurance literacy may be an important intervention for addressing financial problems associated with cancer, according to a study published online Oct. 21 in JNCI Cancer Spectrum.
FDA: Smokeless Tobacco Snus Can Be Marketed as Less Risky Than Cigarettes
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — U.S. health groups are slamming the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision to permit the General brand of the smokeless tobacco product snus to claim that it poses a “lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis” than cigarettes.
CNN Article
More Information: FDA
First Use of Flavored Tobacco Linked to Subsequent Use
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — First use of a flavored tobacco product is associated with increased risk for subsequent tobacco use, according to a study published online Oct. 23 in JAMA Network Open.
Lung Transplant With Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion Feasible
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP)-treated lungs increases the number of patients undergoing transplantation with comparable long-term outcomes, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in JAMA Surgery.
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Limited English Proficiency May Worsen Chronic Disease Outcome
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In predominantly English-speaking settings, patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and chronic conditions have higher rates of emergency department revisits and hospital readmissions than patients with English proficiency (EP), according to a research letter published in the Oct. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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More Choices, Lower Premiums for ACA Consumers Next Year
TUESDAY, Oct. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There will be more health insurance choices and a slight decrease in premiums for many consumers next year under the Affordable Care Act, according to the Trump administration.
Long-Term Lung Function Declines Even for Prior Low-Intensity Smokers
TUESDAY, Oct. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Compared with never-smokers, former smokers and low-intensity current smokers have accelerated lung function decline, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
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Life-Gained Selection Maximizes Lung Cancer Screening Benefits
MONDAY, Oct. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Selection of ever-smokers for lung cancer screening based on gains in life expectancy can increase total life expectancy from screening but prevents fewer lung cancer deaths, according to a study published online Oct. 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Occupational Use of Disinfectants May Up Risk for Developing COPD
FRIDAY, Oct. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Regular use of chemical disinfectants among nurses may be a risk factor for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published online Oct. 18 in JAMA Network Open.
Johnson & Johnson Recalls Baby Powder Due to Presence of Asbestos
FRIDAY, Oct. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A shipment of baby powder has been recalled by Johnson & Johnson after U.S. authorities found asbestos in it.
Use of E-Cigarettes in U.K. Tied to Quit Rates Among Smokers
FRIDAY, Oct. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Electronic cigarette use in England is positively associated with overall cigarette quit rates and quit success rates, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in Addiction.
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Juul Stopping Sales of Fruit, Dessert Flavors of E-Cigarettes
THURSDAY, Oct. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Juul, which makes the top-selling brand of electronic cigarettes in the United States, said Thursday it will no longer sell fruit or dessert flavors of its products. The company’s decision comes as it faces widespread criticism that its flavored nicotine products are hooking a generation of teenagers on nicotine and vaping, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
AP News Article
More Information: CDC
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Statement
Pulmonary Embolism Risk Elevated for More Than Six Weeks Postop
TUESDAY, Oct. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The postoperative risk for pulmonary embolism extends more than six weeks for six types of surgery, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in JAMA Surgery.
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CDC Releases Clinical Guidance on E-Cigarette Lung Injury
TUESDAY, Oct. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In an early-release Oct. 11 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC presents interim guidance to help clinicians assess, evaluate, manage, and follow patients with electronic cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI).
Patients With T2DM Who Have Flu More Likely to Be Hospitalized
FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for hospitalization with pandemic influenza is higher for patients with type 2 diabetes than for those without type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online Oct. 6 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
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Patient Portal Use Has Positive Impact on Preventive Health Behaviors
FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patient portal use has a positive impact on preventive health behaviors, but not on chronic health outcomes, according to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Lumacaftor-Ivacaftor Aids Cystic Fibrosis in Real-World Setting
FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — After one year of therapy with lumacaftor-ivacaftor in a real-world setting, adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis and Phe508del homozygous mutation experienced an improvement in lung function, increase in body mass index, and reduced need for IV antibiotics, according to a study published online Oct. 11 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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CDC: Seasonal Influenza Viruses Circulating in Southern Hemisphere
THURSDAY, Oct. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Seasonal influenza viruses are circulating widely in the Southern Hemisphere, but influenza activity is currently low in the United States, according to research published in the Oct. 11 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Close to 1,300 Cases of Vaping-Linked Illness Now Identified
THURSDAY, Oct. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of Americans sickened with a severe lung injury tied to vaping just keeps rising, U.S. health officials said Thursday.
Anaphylactic Reactions Tied to PICC Insertion With Magnetic Tip
THURSDAY, Oct. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Potential anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions have been associated with insertion of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) using the Sherlock tip locating system (TLS), which features a magnetized stylet wire, according to a study published online Oct. 8 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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Medicare Fraud-Prevention Rules to Be Revised
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Revision of decades-old Medicare rules meant to prevent fraud has been proposed by the Trump administration.
American Indians, Alaska Natives Have Higher Cancer Incidence
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population faces a higher risk for many cancers than white Americans living in the same geographical region, according to a study published in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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2000 to 2015 Saw Increase in Medicare GME Payments
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Medicare graduate medical education (GME) payments increased significantly from 2000 to 2015, according to a study published online Oct. 7 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Acute Respiratory Viral Illness Surveillance Possible in Long-Term Care
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Active acute respiratory illness surveillance can be implemented among patients and staff in an adult long-term care facility, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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Walgreens and Kroger Halt E-Cigarette Sales
TUESDAY, Oct. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Walgreens and Kroger have followed Walmart and Rite Aid in halting sales of electronic cigarettes.
Testosterone, Estradiol Levels May Play Role in Sex Differences in Asthma
TUESDAY, Oct. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Sex hormones seem to play a role in known sex differences in asthma in adults, with the effects modified by obesity, according to a study published online Sept. 16 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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Burnout Linked to Poor Quality Care in Published Literature
TUESDAY, Oct. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In the published literature, burnout in health care professionals is frequently associated with poor-quality care, but the effect size may be smaller than reported, according to data from a systematic review published online Oct. 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Cost of Waste in U.S. Health System Estimated
TUESDAY, Oct. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The estimated cost of waste in the U.S. health care system varies from $760 to $935 billion, according to a special communication published online Oct. 7 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Bill Aims to Limit Nicotine in E-Cigarette Products
MONDAY, Oct. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A bill to limit the amount of nicotine in electronic cigarette products was introduced Monday by U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in a bid “to make them significantly less addictive and appealing to youth.”
Guideline for Community-Acquired Pneumonia Updated
MONDAY, Oct. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In an updated official clinical practice guideline from the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America, published in the Oct. 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, recommendations are presented for the diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
North Carolina Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Traced to Hot Tub Display
FRIDAY, Oct. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease that has sickened 116 and killed one at the state fair may have started at a hot tub display, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported Wednesday.
AP News Article
NCDHHS Press Release
Survey: Many U.S. Adults Not Planning to Get Flu Vaccine
FRIDAY, Oct. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many U.S. adults, including some at the highest risk for the flu and pneumonia, do not plan to get preventive vaccines, according to a survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago on behalf of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
2014 to 2018 Saw Drop in Flavored Tobacco Products in Youth
THURSDAY, Oct. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2014 to 2018, there was a decrease in current use of one or more flavored tobacco products among youth, according to research published in the Oct. 4 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Cases of Serious Vaping-Linked Lung Injury Now Top 1,000
THURSDAY, Oct. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of Americans sickened with a severe lung illness tied to vaping continues to climb, U.S. health officials said Thursday.
Press Release: CDC
NEJM Research Letter
Three-Drug Single Inhaler Treats Uncontrolled Asthma in Adults
THURSDAY, Oct. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A three-in-one inhaler therapy can improve lung function and reduce asthma attacks in adults with uncontrolled disease, according to a study published online Sept. 30 in The Lancet.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Isoniazid Tx to Prevent TB Ups Risks During HIV+ Pregnancy
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Initiation of isoniazid preventive therapy during pregnancy is associated with increased risks versus initiation during the postpartum period, according to a study published in the Oct. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Bans on Flavored Electronic Cigarettes Continue
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Los Angeles County and the state of Ohio are the latest to ban flavored electronic cigarettes, joining Massachusetts, Washington, Michigan, and New York, along with San Francisco.
Juul Halts Funding for San Francisco Vaping Ballot Initiative
TUESDAY, Oct. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — On Monday, San Francisco-based Juul Labs Inc. said it will no longer fund an effort to quash an antivaping law in the city, effectively ending the campaign.
AP News Article
NBC News Article
No Benefit Found for High-Dose Vitamin C Infusions in Sepsis, ARDS
TUESDAY, Oct. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Compared with placebo, intravenous infusion of high-dose vitamin C does not improve organ dysfunction or alter markers of inflammation or vascular injury among patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), according to a study published in the Oct. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Asthma-Related ED Use Up for Children With Anxiety, Depression
TUESDAY, Oct. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Children with asthma and with anxiety, depression, or both have increased rates of asthma-related emergency department use, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in Pediatrics.
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North Carolina Legionnaires’ Case Count Climbs to 79
TUESDAY, Oct. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to a North Carolina state fair now stands at 79, including 55 people hospitalized and one death.
CNN Article
More Information: CDC
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