The following represents news tips from the June issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society.
Contact: Lori Atkins 212 315-6442
For Release: June 18, 1998
PATIENTS WITH NEAR FATAL ASTHMA ATTACKS FAIL TO SEE THEIR PHYSICIANS PRIOR TO HOSPITALIZATION EVEN THOUGH THE WORSENING SYMPTOMS TAKE TWO TO SEVEN DAYS BEFOREHAND.
In a study involving 99 patients at a respiratory clinic in British Columbia, this was a major finding. Only 16 percent of the patients with near fatal asthma had visited their physician prior to the attack. Investigators reporrted that patients with near fatal asthma (NFA) tended to have a history of mechanical ventilation, admission to an intensive care unit, and a worsening of asthma during the months of January and February. Since the near fatal attacks took time to develop, researchers urged physicians to aggressively manage potential NFA patients as a means of preventing progression to a fatal or near-fatal attack. Investigators also said for the first time explosure to air conditioning was seen as a strong risk factor for NFA, although they cautioned that the evidence was based on small numbers of patients. (Fitzgeral, Mark et al, Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada)
OLDER FEMALE WRITERS, ARTISTS, DECORATORS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF LUNG DISEASES.
This was one finding in a study involving 1,226 women whose average age was slightly over 70. Investigators gathered information on respiratory health, smoking habits, and occupation as they related to the prevalence of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and asthma-like symptoms. Researchers also found that women who were caretakers and cleaners had an increased risk of asthma. And, for those working as machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors, there was a reported increase risk of bronchitis, and asthma-like symptoms. Nurses and other non-physician health care workers were reported to have more asthma-like symptoms. Exposures to dust, gas, vapors, fumes, sensitizers, biologic agents, chemicals, and latex gloves were believed to be among the occupational hazards which increased risks. (Tager, Ira et al, University of California at Berkely)
WEIGHT LOSS COMPARED WITH WEIGHT GAIN PUTS CERTAIN COPD PATIENTS AT MORE RISK OF NOT SURVIVING THE DISEASE.
This was a conclusion reached in one of two Dutch studies involving 400 COPD patients who had moderate to severe airflow restrictions. Survival in this study was significantly reduced in both underweight and normal weight patients as compared to overweight and obese patients. The other controlled study involved 203 patients who were given nutritional supplements alone, or in combination with anabolic steroids. The findings of that study, according to investigators, concluded that the negative effect of low body weight in certain COPD patients could be reversed through nutritional supplementation alone or in combination with steroids. (Schols, AMWJ, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands)
For further information on these reports or for the complete text of the journal article, please contact Lori Atkins of the American Thoracic Society at 212 315-6442 or fax her at 212 315-6456.
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