Exposure to outdoor air pollutants was found to be associated with change in emphysema and lung function, stated new study.
The study included 7,071 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis studies conducted in six U.S. metropolitan regions (New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; Baltimore; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and St. Paul, Minnesota).
Emphysema
Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, marked by alveolar damage and reduced air flow to lungs leading to breathlessness and cough.
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‘Exposure to ambient air pollutants, especially ozone, was associated with increasing emphysema progression based on up to five repeated CT scans over 10 years.’
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Computed tomographic (CT) scans were used to assess changes in emphysema (measured for density as a percentage of lung pixels) and lung function testing was done. Levels of outdoor air pollutants (ozone, fine particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen and black carbon) at each participant's home were estimated.
Ambient ozone exposure, but not the other pollutants, also was associated with decline in lung function.
Limitations of the study include that outdoor air pollutant concentrations may not reflect everything about an individual's air pollutant exposures, and outdoor concentrations don't explain all of the variations in concentrations of pollutants indoors, where most people spend the majority of their time.
![Targeted Gene Therapy for Treatment for Emphysema]( "Targeted Gene Therapy for Treatment for Emphysema")
Emphysema, a chronic lung disease is caused by Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and a copy of the gene to cells in the lung corrects the condition.
Authors: Joel D. Kaufman, M.D., M.P.H., University of Washington, Seattle, and coauthors (doi:10.1001/jama.2019.10255)
Editor's Note: The article includes conflict of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Source: Eurekalert
Limitations of the study include that outdoor air pollutant concentrations may not reflect everything about an individual's air pollutant exposures, and outdoor concentrations don't explain all of the variations in concentrations of pollutants indoors, where most people spend the majority of their time.
Targeted Gene Therapy for Treatment for Emphysema
Emphysema, a chronic lung disease is caused by Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and a copy of the gene to cells in the lung corrects the condition.
Advertisement
Authors: Joel D. Kaufman, M.D., M.P.H., University of Washington, Seattle, and coauthors (doi:10.1001/jama.2019.10255)
Editor's Note: The article includes conflict of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Source: Eurekalert
Regular Aspirin Use may Slow Progression of Deadly Lung Disease 'Emphysema'
Using aspirin three or more days per week was associated with a slower progression of percent emphysema on computed tomography scans over 10 years.
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Clinical Trial Results Show Effective Treatment for Patients With Severe EmphysemaThe results for the clinical trial on the use of Lung Volume Reduction (LVR) Coil treatment in emphysema patients, has found that the minimally invasive therapy is safe over a 3-year period. | Advertisement
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