New research shows that chronic cough in children is most often caused by gastroesophageal reflux and allergies. Researchers from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, evaluated 40 patients aged 5 to 12 years with chronic cough (> 8 weeks in duration) with no obvious cause. Each patient underwent extensive multispecialty testing. Results showed that reflux was the single most commonly associated factor of chronic cough by itself (27.5 percent), followed by allergy (22.5 percent). All patients received treatment for their underlying conditions, and all responded to their respective treatments. This study is published in the September issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.
STATINS MAY BENEFIT PATIENTS WITH COPD
Statins have been shown to benefit patients with cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol, but now research shows that statins may provide significant benefits for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers from the University of British Columbia reviewed data from nine studies that illustrated the beneficial effects of statins on patients with COPD. Further analysis showed that each study provided at least one benefit to patients with COPD, including reduced exacerbations (3 studies); reduction in the number of COPD-related intubations and time to COPD-related intubations (1 study); improved pulmonary function (1 study); improved exercise capacity (1 study); improved mortality (2 studies); and improved all-cause mortality (3 studies). Researchers conclude that, although statins show promise for patients with COPD, additional research is needed. The article is published in the September issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.
PATIENTS WITH INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE NEED NOT AVOID AIR TRAVEL