Latest News from: American Thoracic Society (ATS)

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25-Jun-2007 12:55 PM EDT
Exposure to Cats Increases Bronchial Responsiveness in People Without Specific Cat Allergy
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Researchers in the United Kingdom have found that increased exposure to cat allergen is associated with greater bronchial responsiveness (BR) in people with certain common allergies, even if they are not specifically allergic to cats. This suggests that reduced exposure to cats may be beneficial for allergic individuals, regardless of their specific allergies.

25-Jun-2007 2:00 PM EDT
Combination of Two Bronchoscopic Techniques Greatly Improves Diagnostic Yield in Peripheral Lung Lesions
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

The combined use of two minimally invasive techniques"”endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB)-- in the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions has been shown to be more effective than either procedure alone and does not compromise patients' safety, according to a new study.

Released: 22-Jun-2007 7:45 PM EDT
ATS Publishes New Statement on Pulmonary Function Testing in Children
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

The ATS and European Respiratory Society (ERS) published a new statement on pulmonary function testing in preschool children. The document, which appears in the June 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, addresses the clinical, technical and epidemiological implications of pulmonary function testing in children aged 2 to 6.

Released: 21-Jun-2007 3:20 PM EDT
EPA Ozone Pollution Standards “Unhealthy for America, Says ATS President
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

David H. Ingbar MD, president of the American Thoracic Society, today called the proposed standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency for ozone pollution"“commonly known as smog-"unhealthy for America's kids, unhealthy for America's seniors, and unhealthy for America."

13-Jun-2007 4:30 PM EDT
Elevated Pepsin Levels May Lead to Rejection of Lung Transplants
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Researchers in the United Kingdom have demonstrated that high levels of pepsin, a digestive enzyme that is a marker for gastric aspiration, are associated with acute rejection of a lung transplant.

12-Jun-2007 4:25 PM EDT
Premature Vascular and Bone Changes Occur in COPD Patients
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Researchers in the United Kingdom have found that patients with COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have greater arterial stiffness. The researchers also found that those COPD patients with osteoporosis, a common complication of the respiratory disease, had even greater arterial stiffness. These premature signs of aging may explain why COPD patients are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease.

30-May-2007 12:15 PM EDT
Patients with OSA at Higher Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Researchers have found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have higher levels of a type of dead cells (apoptotic cells) from the lining (endothelium) of their blood vessels circulating in their bloodstream than people who do not have OSA. The finding may help explain why those with OSA are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

30-May-2007 12:20 PM EDT
Treatment Outcomes of Patients with HIV and Tuberculosis
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

In a retrospective study of 700 patients with culture-positive tuberculosis (TB), relapse rates were found to be significantly higher in HIV-infected patients compared to HIV-uninfected patients following a rifamycin-based regimen. Furthermore, TB relapse rates were higher in HIV-infected patients who received intermittent or standard 6-month therapy when compared to those receiving daily or longer treatment.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
NHLBI Asthma Clinical Research Networks and American Lung Association ACRC Network To Present New Findings at ATS International Conference
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Researchers studying inhaled steroids and children with asthma, as well as asthma and obesity, will present new findings from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Asthma Clinical Research Networks at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, May 23rd. The session will take place from noon to 1 pm in room 131 at the Moscone Center.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Sleep Apnea Increases Risk of Diabetes and Hypertension in Pregnant Women
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Sleep apnea is associated with a greatly increased incidence of pregnancy-induced diabetes and high blood pressure, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Wednesday, May 22.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Inhaled Steroids May Not Be Enough for Some Children with Asthma
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Some children may not be able to keep their asthma under control even if they consistently report using inhaled corticosteroids, a mainstay of asthma treatment, suggests a new study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Wednesday, May 23.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
More Pounds=Worse Asthma?
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

A new study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference finds that obese people are significantly more likely to have persistent or severe persistent asthma than their thinner counterparts.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Indoor Smoking Bans: Are They Creating Unhealthy Outdoor Zones for Secondhand Smoke?
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

With the growing number of smoking bans in restaurants and bars driving smokers outside, researchers in Athens, Georgia, are hoping to find out whether secondhand smoke from smokers clustered outside these establishments is posing a health hazard of its own.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Sleep Apnea Increases Risk of Heart Attack or Death by 30%
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

The nighttime breathing disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea increases a person's risk of having a heart attack or dying by 30% over a period of four to five years, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Monday, May 21.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Electronic Nose May Help Diagnose Asthma
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

An "electronic nose" may one day be used to diagnose asthma, say researchers who are presenting a preliminary study of the device at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Monday, May 21.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Improving Communication with Families of Dying Patients Reduces Stress, Anxiety and Depression
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Hospitals that use a simple strategy of enhancing communication with family members of patients dying in the intensive care unit can greatly reduce post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression after their loved one dies, according to a study to be presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in San Francisco on Monday, May 21.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Extremely Drug Resistant TB a Growing Problem in India
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Extremely drug resistant TB, or XDR-TB, is a serious problem in India, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Monday, May 21.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Drug Treatment Slows Decline in Lung Function in COPD Patients
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Treatment with a commonly used drug slows the decline in lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to results from the TORCH (Towards a Revolution in COPD Health) study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Tuesday, May 22.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Marijuana Worsens COPD Symptoms in Current Cigarette Smokers
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Marijuana worsens breathing problems in current smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Tuesday, May 22.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Some Vitamin Supplements Don’t Protect Against Lung Cancer
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

A study of more than 75,000 adults found that taking supplemental multivitamins, vitamin C and E and folate do not decrease the risk of lung cancer. The findings are being reported at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Monday, May 21.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Sleep Apnea May Increase Risk of Diabetes
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine have found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea are at increased risk for developing of type II diabetes, independent of other risk factors. The findings are being presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Monday, May 21.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Eating Apples and Fish During Pregnancy May Protect Against Childhood Asthma and Allergies
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Women who eat apples and fish during pregnancy may reduce the risk of their children developing asthma or allergic disease, suggests a new study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Sunday, May 20.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
“Healthy” Children With Smoking Parents Aren’t Really so Healthy
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Children of smokers who don't show any signs of respiratory problems may still be experiencing damaging changes in their airways that could lead to lung disease later in life, according to a new study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Sunday, May 20.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Hotter is Better for Removing Allergens in Laundry
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

A new study finds that the heat setting you choose when doing laundry makes all the difference when it comes to killing dust mites. The researchers found that washing laundry in hot water--140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 ºC) or higher--kills all house dust mites, compared with just 6.5% of dust mites in laundry washed at 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 ºC), or warm water.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
House Dust May Protect Against Allergic Disease Early in Life
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Endotoxin, a toxic substance made by certain types of bacteria, may reduce the risk of developing the allergic skin condition eczema or wheezing in children if they are exposed to it up to age 3, suggests a study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Sunday, May 20.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
"Wake Up and Breathe" Strategy Allows Patients to Come Off Ventilator Sooner
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

A new study of intensive care unit patients who are breathing with the help of a mechanical ventilator has found that a two-step sedation and ventilator weaning protocol"”called a "wake up and breathe" strategy"”helps patients come off the ventilator faster so that they can be discharged from the ICU and hospital more quickly. The study is being presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference in San Francisco.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Epidemiology of Tuberculosis: Updates from CDC Studies to be Presented at ATS International Conference
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

The latest research from two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies looking at the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States will be presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference on Sunday, May 20, in San Francisco. The studies focus on two groups with higher-than-average rates of TB: foreign-born persons and African Americans living in the southeastern United States.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Approved Medical Resident Hours Still Resulting in Sleepy Doctors
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Medical residents working within the mandated maximum of 80 hours per week experience severe sleepiness, a finding that may have implications for both patient care and resident safety, according to a new study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Sunday, May 20.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Sleep Apnea Patients Have Greatly Increased Risk of Severe Car Crashes
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

People with obstructive sleep apnea have a markedly increased risk of severe motor vehicle crashes involving personal injury, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Sunday, May 20.

15-May-2007 1:00 PM EDT
Start School Later in the Morning, Say Sleepy Teens
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

A survey of sleep-deprived teens finds they think that a later start time for school and tests given later in the school day would result in better grades. The survey was presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Sunday, May 20.

8-May-2007 4:00 PM EDT
Full Term, Low-Birth-Weight Babies at Significantly Greater Risk for Early Respiratory Symptoms
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Through age 5, children born at full term with low birth weight show significantly greater risk for developing respiratory symptoms, including wheezing, coughing and pulmonary infections, according to a large longitudinal study on birth weight and development. The children's symptoms grew worse if they were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

8-May-2007 4:05 PM EDT
Treatment Against Atypical Pathogens Vital to Improvement in Hospitalized Community-acquired Pneumonia Patients
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who received treatment regimens against atypical disease-causing pathogens reached clinical stability quicker, had fewer days of hospitalization, and had lower mortality rates as a result of their disease, according to a large new study.

23-Apr-2007 2:45 PM EDT
Web-Based Asthma Program Dramatically Improves Disease Management for Low-Income Black Students
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Low-income African-American high school students with asthma who participated in a specially-designed, web-based disease management program reported fewer days and nights with symptoms, fewer school days missed, fewer days of restricted activity, and less hospitalization for asthma during a 12-month follow-up period, as compared to non-participating asthmatic students.

23-Apr-2007 2:50 PM EDT
Early Onset of Poor Bone Mineralization Revealed in Children with Cystic Fibrosis
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

In a study of children with cystic fibrosis, French researchers found evidence of very early onset defective bone mineralization in the lumbar spine that was not caused by either nutritional status or lung disease. The lumbar spine is that part of the back between the ribs and the pelvis.

23-Apr-2007 2:50 PM EDT
Promising Drug Fails to Improve COPD Symptoms
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

A promising anti-inflammatory drug failed to improve symptoms of moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, in a large, multi-center trial.

5-Apr-2007 5:15 PM EDT
Eating Cured Meats Frequently Can Lead To Lower Lung Function and Potential COPD
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Frequent consumption of cured meats results in lower lung function test scores and increases the odds of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a large cross-sectional survey of adults in the U.S.

5-Apr-2007 5:00 PM EDT
Smoking Ban Dramatically Reduces Air Pollution in Irish Pubs
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

A national workplace ban on smoking in Ireland resulted in an 83 percent reduction in air pollution in pubs, an 80 percent decrease in airborne carcinogens for patrons and staff, and an improvement in the respiratory health of bar workers, according to a one-year follow-up study.

27-Mar-2007 12:35 PM EDT
Asthma Incidence Shows a 50 Percent Increase in Fat People
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

For overweight and obese individuals, the incidence of asthma increases by 50 percent, as compared to those of normal weight, according to a meta-analysis of seven studies on severe asthma involving 333,102 patients.

28-Mar-2007 9:05 AM EDT
High Dose Inhaled Corticosteroid Use for COPD Could Cut Risk of Lung Cancer
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Among a group of mostly older male veterans suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an illness that offers a greater susceptibility to lung cancer, researchers found that regular use of high dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) lowered the risk of developing lung cancer.

6-Mar-2007 4:15 PM EST
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Show Silent Brain Infarction Lesions
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea who have significantly higher serum levels of inflammatory markers that serve as precursors to coronary artery disease, as well as lesions associated with silent brain infarction, have an elevated risk of stroke, according to a group of Japanese medical researchers.

6-Mar-2007 4:20 PM EST
New Blood Tests for TB Show Exposure to Disease While Tuberculin Skin Tests Do Not
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Two new interferon-gamma blood test assays to detect latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) showed customers were exposed to a supermarket employee in Holland who had smear-positive tuberculosis, while traditional tuberculin skin tests (TST) did not, according to a large contact study.

24-Feb-2007 8:45 AM EST
A Higher Physical Activity Level Slows Lung Function Decline in Smokers
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Moderate to high levels of regular physical activity are associated with lower lung function decline among smokers and help to moderate their risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a large retrospective cohort study.

24-Feb-2007 8:50 AM EST
Primary Graft Dysfunction Is Risk Factor For a Later Serious Lung Transplant Problem
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Primary graft dysfunction, a common complication that affects up to 25 percent of lung transplant patients shortly after surgery, constitutes a significant risk factor for later deadly bronchiolotis obliterans syndrome (BOS).

8-Feb-2007 12:00 PM EST
Drug Reduces Unscheduled Trips To Doctor for Childhood Asthma Attacks
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Young children with attacks of sporadic, recurring asthma who were treated with the prescription drug montelukast by their parents had fewer unscheduled trips to the doctor, missed less days from school or childcare, and caused their parents to take fewer days off work for their care.

8-Feb-2007 12:05 PM EST
Slow-Release Morphine Reduces Level of Intractable Cough
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Slow-release morphine helped a group of patients with long-term, treatment-resistant chronic cough reduce their daily cough score levels by 40 percent.

24-Jan-2007 3:50 PM EST
Higher Nitric Oxide Levels Increase Survival in ALI/ARDS Trial
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

In a large-scale, multi-center trial of patients with acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), researchers showed that higher levels of nitric oxide (NO) in patient urine were strongly associated with improved survival, more ventilator-free days, and decreased rates of organ failure.

10-Jan-2007 1:50 PM EST
Low-Dose Aspirin Offers Lower Chance of Asthma
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

In a large, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 22,071 healthy male physicians, taking a low-dose of aspirin every other day lowered the risk of receiving an initial asthma diagnosis by 22 percent.

10-Jan-2007 2:00 PM EST
Combination Therapy Reduces Exacerbations in Severe COPD
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

For patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), combining a long-acting bronchodilator with an inhaled corticosteroid reduced the number of exacerbations by 35 percent.

28-Dec-2006 1:00 PM EST
Cough and Phlegm Cause Fourfold Increase in COPD Incidence
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Young adults (ages 20 to 44) with normal lung function who later develop chronic cough and phlegm have a fourfold higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

28-Dec-2006 1:00 PM EST
Change in Guidelines Could Help Eliminate TB in U.S.
American Thoracic Society (ATS)

To eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in the United States, current guidelines should be changed to reclassify all foreign-born residents from high-incidence countries as "high-risk," regardless of the amount of time they have lived in the U.S.



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