Annals of the American Thoracic Society
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Given the inconclusive science on the long-term effects of marijuana exposure on lung function, the increasing tetrahydrocannabinol composition of marijuana over time, and the increasing legal accessibility of the substance, continued investigation is needed. ⋯ In a large cross-section of U.S. adults, cumulative lifetime marijuana use, up to 20 joint-years, is not associated with adverse changes in spirometric measures of lung health. Although greater than 20 joint-years of cumulative marijuana exposure was associated with a twofold increased odds of a FEV1/FVC less than 70%, this was the result of an increase in FVC, rather than a disproportional decrease in FEV1 as is typically associated with obstructive lung diseases.
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Few previous studies have evaluated primary adherence (whether a new prescription is filled within 30 d) to controller medications in individuals with persistent asthma. ⋯ Adherence to controller medications for asthma is poor. In this insured population, primary adherence to ICSs was better than to LTRAs and ICS/LABAs. Adherence as measured by proportion of days covered was better for LTRAs and ICS/LABAs than for ICSs.
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In the past 18 months, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved macitentan, riociguat, and treprostinil as oral agents for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); riociguat also became the first agent approved for the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). ⋯ Thrice daily dosing and administration with a meal can improve tolerance. These newer agents represent advances, but their specific roles in relation to pre-existing therapies are undergoing further evaluation. Therefore, close collaboration with clinicians at centers with therapeutic expertise is highly recommended to optimize patient outcomes.
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Use of physical and/or occupational therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU) is safe, feasible, and demonstrates improvements in functional status with early administration. Access to physical and/or occupational therapy in the ICU is variable, with little known regarding its use in community ICUs. ⋯ Nurse managers at three-fourths (76.6%) of eligible hospitals across Washington State reported use of physical activity in patients on mechanical ventilation. Hospital-level factors including hospital volume, academic affiliation, and presence of a mobility protocol were associated with report of higher level activity and delivery of activity to high-severity patients.
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Incidental pulmonary nodule detection is postulated to cause distress, but the frequency and magnitude of that distress have not been reported. The quality of patient-clinician communication and the perceived risk of lung cancer may influence distress Objectives: To evaluate the association of communication processes with distress and the perceived risk of lung cancer using validated instruments. ⋯ Veterans with incidental pulmonary nodules frequently reported inadequate information exchange regarding their nodule. Many patients experience distress after they are informed that they have a pulmonary nodule, and high-quality patient-clinician communication is associated with decreased distress. Communication strategies that only target improved knowledge of the risk of malignancy may not be sufficient to reduce the distress associated with nodule detection.