Thorax
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Socioeconomic disparities have been linked to survival differences in patients with lung cancer. Swedish healthcare is tax-funded and provides equal access to care, therefore, survival following lung cancer surgery should be unrelated to household income. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between household disposable income and survival following surgery for lung cancer in Sweden. ⋯ We found an association between household disposable income and survival in patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer in Sweden, despite tax-funded universal health coverage. The association remained after adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Particle depletion of diesel exhaust restores allergen-induced lung-protective surfactant protein D in human lungs.
Exposure to air pollution is linked with increased asthma morbidity and mortality. To understand pathological processes linking air pollution and allergen exposures to asthma pathophysiology, we investigated the effect of coexposure to diesel exhaust (DE) and aeroallergen on immune regulatory proteins in human airways. ⋯ Short-term coexposure to aeroallergen and DE alters immune regulatory proteins in lungs; surfactant levels are dependent on particle depletion.
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Low-dose CT (LDCT) screening of high-risk smokers reduces lung cancer (LC) specific mortality. Determining screening eligibility using individualised risk may improve screening effectiveness and reduce harm. Here, we compare the performance of two risk prediction models (PLCOM2012 and Liverpool Lung Project model (LLPv2)) and National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) eligibility criteria in a community-based screening programme. ⋯ Prospective comparisons of risk prediction tools are required to optimise screening selection in different settings. The PLCOM2012 model may underestimate risk in deprived UK populations; further research focused on model calibration is required.