The American journal of medicine
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Observational Study
Smoking and respiratory diseases in patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction.
Coronary microvascular disease (CMD) is common in patients with and without obstructive coronary artery disease, and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Respiratory-related variables are associated with pulmonary and systemic microvascular dysfunction, while evidence about their relationship with CMD is limited. We aim to evaluate respiratory-related variables as risk factors of CMD. ⋯ In patients undergoing invasive coronary microvascular evaluation, current smoking and obstructive sleep apnea are independently associated with CMD. Among smokers, higher pack-years is a strong predictor for CMD. Our findings should raise awareness for prevention and possible treatment options.
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Long COVID is a multisystemic condition that affects the lives of millions of people globally, yet factors associated with it are poorly defined. Our purpose in this study was to identify factors associated with long COVID. ⋯ Several demographic features were associated with long COVID, which may be the result of social, clinical, or biological influences.
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On January 18, 2024, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued their most recent guidelines for over-the-counter drugs for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Specifically, the organization stated that "Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home. ⋯ It is our belief that the individual healthcare provider knows far more about each of his or her patients than anyone, including expert members of guideline committees. Their astute and judicious individual clinical decision-making for each individual patient based on all these considerations has the potential to do far more good than harm.