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10Jun

Cyclists, who are highly exposed to sources of pollution

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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Cyclists, who are highly exposed to sources of pollution

• Patricia Segura Medina and Oscar Augusto Peralta Rosales suggested maintaining the use of face masks, staying away from cars and, if possible, riding at night

Patricia Segura Medina, PhD instructor in biomedical sciences at UNAM, attached to the Division of Bronchial Hyperreactivity at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER), explained.

When participating in the session “Cycling Commuting and Its Effects on Health”, which was held by the Undergraduate Program for Urban Studies (PUEC) of the National University, he indicated that the World Health Organization considers environmental pollution to be a greater danger to human life.

This has been sustained by gases such as carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic matter, and suspended (micrometric) particles such as PM2.5 and PM10, for example. In addition to aerobic biology such as pollen, algae, fungi, bacteria, viruses, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: benzene, toluene, and others.

Segura Medina said that from the acute effects there may be cases of asthma, respiratory infections, heart attacks, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, dermatitis and shortness of breath. In the long term: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic infections, and others.

In addition, Patricia Segura stressed that the cyclist is exposed to noise 450 times more than other people, so it can have the effects of excessive stress.

However, the academic explained the benefits of “rolling” for the individual and the environment: “It increases respiratory capacity; lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels. It improves mental health; it prevents heart disease; it promotes coordination and prevents the accumulation of body fat.”

The environment also benefits because pollutants are not released into the air, and neither noise nor global warming is generated; low traffic; narrow lanes can be used; It does not mean deforestation.

At his event, Oscar Augusto Peralta Rosales, from the Department of Environmental Sciences at the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change, presented part of a study to measure primary pollutants in 2020, on bike paths in Mexico City.

On the street, he said, a bicycle user could be exposed to up to 10 times the concentration recorded by air quality stations of carbon monoxide and PM2.5 particles.

“If a breathing rate of 0.5 cubic meters per hour (cubic meters per hour) is taken into account, then a person who spends 60 minutes on a public road receives 300 micrograms (one millionth of a gram) of PM2.5 (containing 30 micrograms of carbon black). ) plus 2.4 mg of carbon monoxide.

According to Peralta Rosales, environmental standards such as NOM-025-SSA1-2014, which refers to PM2.5, state that the average particulate matter concentration should not exceed 45 μg/m3 within a 24-hour period.

Recommendations

The two researchers agreed that the areas of human-powered vehicles should be separated as much as possible from the areas of combustion vehicles.

“The more distance a cyclist keeps from the bus, the better the air he breathes; Patricia Segura noted that a face mask can be used to be safe from fine particles.

He added that the ideal thing to avoid exposure to pollutants is to shoot at night, but the problem lies in sufficient vision to avoid accidents.

As a precaution during the day, suggest consulting a UV Index for UV intensity. He concluded, “The hours of greatest exposure to solar radiation are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so you should protect your skin, seek shade, wear eyeglasses, long-sleeved clothing, and sunscreen.”

covid19comision.unam.mx/

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10Jun

Canadian wildfires trigger symptoms for asthma sufferers

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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Jun. 9—ANDERSON — For some, coughing can be a mere nuisance. For asthma sufferers, it can disrupt daily life.

Alexandria resident Bruce Sayre's asthma kept him from his daughter Jordyn's softball game Wednesday evening.

"I went outside and started coughing," Sayre said. "She told me to go back inside and don't worry about it, which I did worry about it. I wanted to see my daughter play softball."

Sayre's symptoms were triggered by poor air quality, largely attributed to smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires, affecting central Indiana over the past few days.

During an asthma attack, irritants agitate the airways, causing them to close and restricting the ability to breathe, said Roger Jundos, a respiratory therapist with Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis.

Constricted airways create a build-up of carbon dioxide, causing shortness of breath, which can also be a symptom of COVID-19.

"I had a friend that has had COVID," Sayre said. "They talked about that they can't breathe, they start wheezing, they can't walk to one end of the house without stopping to catch their breath. I don't laugh but I said, 'Welcome to my world.'"

Sayre's boss experienced similar symptoms.

"He said, 'Is this what you feel like?' I said, 'Yeah, that's what I feel like a lot of days,'" Sayre recounted.

Jundos recommends that people with asthma and other breathing difficulties always take their medications as prescribed and have an inhaler on hand should an attack occur.

Those with allergies may experience asthma attack-like symptoms, including tightening of the airways.

Discovering one's triggers can be a long process of exposure and elimination. Jundas recommends keeping a record of possible triggers and doing allergy testing.

In the case of poor air quality because of the Canadian wildfires, the American Red Cross offers these tips, particularly for those who are especially at risk — including pregnant women, children, responders and those who suffer from asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or heart disease:

—Keep windows and doors closed.

—Choose a room you can close off from outside air. Use fans and air conditioning to stay cool.

—Set up a portable air cleaner or a filter to keep the air in your room clean even if it's smoky in the rest of the building and outdoors.

—Avoid using candles, gas, propane, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces or aerosol sprays and don't fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products or run a vacuum cleaner.

—If you have a central air conditioning system, use high efficiency filters to capture fine particles from the smoke. If your system has a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode or close the outdoor intake damper.

—If you're using a window air conditioner, make sure the seal between it and the window is as tight as possible and figure out how to close the outdoor air damper. For window air conditioning units, try running them on the fan mode. This will not bring in outside air, but circulate the air inside your home.

—If you're in your car, set the air to recirculate.

Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at [email protected] or 765-648-4254.

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10Jun

Assessing knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among traders and sanitary workers in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, was first reported in a group of infections linked to a wholesale food market in the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019.1 Symptomatic patients develop headaches, fever, dry cough, myalgia, fatigue, dyspnoea and diarrhoea, and a subset of these symptomatic patients progress to develop respiratory distress, septic shock, intractable metabolic acidosis and other haematological anomalies.2–4 The high transmissibility, coupled with severe illness and death among some infected patients quickly projected the disease to pandemic status within three short months after its emergence. As at July 14, 2022, 2 ½ years later, the disease has infected over half a billion people and has been responsible for more than 6 million deaths globally, according to data from Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Centre, which has been tracking the spread of the virus.5 In response, an unprecedented global health emergency was launched that saw closure of many international borders, entire cities and states put on lockdown and major changes in the ordinary way of life of people in hopes of breaking the transmission chain, with very little success. Additionally, the prohibitively high economic cost of such interventions have devastated economies across the globe6,7 and resulted in mass protests against strict containment measures.8,9

Worryingly, it now appears that COVID-19 has come to stay. The initial outbreak and panicked response resulted in a decline in infection rates, but many nations have since experienced multiple waves of infections. In the period between 4-10th July, 2022, over 5.7 million new cases of COVID-19 were reported to the WHO, representing a 6% increase in infection rates compared with the previous week.10 Also troubling is the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with the potential to alter factors relating to transmissibility and severity of infections and/or immunity developed from past exposures or vaccination, which could determine the future course of the pandemic.11

Quite rightly, an endemic state of COVID-19 characterised by low transmissibility and a mild disease profile that is easily managed by the health care systems, and which now seems possible with the availability of effective vaccines, seems the pandemic exit strategy favoured by most countries.12,13 However, the proportion of fully vaccinated members of the population of many countries remains low due not only to the immerse logistical challenge and economic cost associated with vaccinating the entire population multiple times to achieve full vaccination status but also increasing vaccine hesitancy driven by vaccine and COVID-19 disinformation.14–17 Until acceptable vaccination rates have been achieved, the interventions that have been crucial in reducing transmission rates in this pandemic and previous infectious respiratory disease outbreaks, such as social distancing, enhanced hygiene protocols, including handshake avoidance, regular hand washing, cough etiquettes, disinfection of surfaces, and regular and correct use of personal protective equipment, must continue to be practiced. The success of these interventions depends on public knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about the disease, i.e., its transmission modes, at risk groups and preventive strategies.18,19 For example, a study conducted in Nigeria about knowledge and behaviour of participants to COVID-19 found good correlation between COVID-19 knowledge and adherence to official government infection prevention and control measures (IPCM). On the other hand, participants who believed in the protection offered by their deity, or who imagined that they had a low infection risk, were less likely to adhere to the protocols.20 A similar study in Ghana found a good association between educational status and knowledge of IPCM – poorly educated participants having the least knowledge.21

The early outbreaks of COVID-19 in Ghana were driven largely by transmission in the market places and public spaces within institutions.2 Long-term control of outbreaks will therefore require an understanding of the potential drivers of outbreaks in these locations; understanding that may be obtained by examining the changing KAP to the evolving COVID-19 situation. In this study, we investigate the KAP of salespersons in the local markets of the Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana and sanitation workers of the University of Cape Coast.

This study was a, cross-sectional survey conducted in the period of February to April 2022 at the Abura Market within the Cape Coast Metropolis and University of Cape Coast. The participants at the market were shopkeepers and petty traders (“salespersons”), while participants at the University were employees of the university engaged in janitorial services (“sanitation workers”). The survey instrument – a questionnaire designed according to the guidelines recommended for the awareness and prevention of COVID-19 in Ghana by the Ghana Centre for Disease Control and prevention, and from KAP of previous infectious disease outbreaks in Ghana – was administered by students of the University of Cape Coast, who were trained in data collection techniques and COVID-19 safety protocols.

The major outcome variables of this study were knowledge of COVID-19 and attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 prevention. Knowledge of COVID-19 was based on responses to 25 items testing knowledge of at-risk people, transmission modes, available treatments, and preventive measures against the disease. A total knowledge score for each participant was calculated by scoring every correct response as 1 and an incorrect response as 0, and then summing up the scores. Each participant was classified as possessing good knowledge if they scored ≥ the mean knowledge score of all participants and as possessing poor knowledge if they scored less than the mean knowledge score of all participants. Attitude scores were computed from responses to 12 items testing appropriate attitude or practice towards COVID-19 prevention. An attitude score was computed in the manner of the knowledge score and participants grouped into good attitude or poor attitude on the same basis for classification as in the knowledge classes.

The responses offered by participants to various knowledge and attitude items on the questionnaire were described using frequencies. The predictors of good knowledge of COVID-19 and good attitudes towards its prevention were assessed using crude and adjusted odds ratios for various sociodemographic variables of the participants. Significance at 95% CIs was set at 0.05.

Informed written consent was obtained from each participant before recruiting them into this study. In addition, ethical clearance (BMS/IRB/2021/028) was obtained from the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Review Committee before commencing this work.

A total of 206 individuals, comprising salespersons in selected markets in Cape Coast and sanitation workers of the University of Cape Coast participated in this study. The male to female ratio was 65.5% to 33.5% with a combined median age falling in the 31-45 age class. Most of the participants (57.3%) were married, illiterate or attained only basic school education (a combined 61.1%) and Christian (82.5%) (Table 1).

Table 1.Sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants

Variable Categories Frequency Percentage (%)
Gender Male 137 66.5
Female 69 33.5
Age 15-30 69 33.5
31-45 101 49.0
≥46 36 17.5
Marital status Married 118 57.3
Divorced 2 1.0
Never married 88 41.7
Education status Uneducated 33 16.0
Primary 34 16.5
Middle/JHS/JSS 59 28.6
O-Level/A-Level/SHS
/Tech/Vocational		 68 33.0
Tertiary 12 5.8
Religious identity Christian 170 82.5
Muslim 28 13.6
Animist 3 1.5
Other 5 2.4

Fig 1 presents responses to the question, “what is COVID-19” presented to 110 salespersons. Most of the participants (61.8%) identified COVID-19 as a viral disease. Nine percent (9%) of participants identified COVID-19 as a respiratory disease, while 27.3% identified it only as a disease. Only 0.9% identified COVID-19 as a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which indicates that participants had a high awareness of COVID-19 as a disease.

Figure 1

Figure 1.

Table 2 presents knowledge of COVID-19 at risk population, transmission, symptoms, and current treatment options. A large majority of participants identified old age (96.1%) and having a history of chronic ailments (97.6%) as risk factors for contracting COVID-19. However, equally large majorities also identified ‘being pregnant’(93.2%), ‘being rich’ (94.2%) and ‘everybody is equally at risk’ (98.1% of participants) as risk factors, indicating a general misunderstanding of risk factors for the disease.

Table 2.Knowledge of COVID-19 transmission routes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment

Knowledge Answer categories Frequency Percentage (%)
Knowledge of at-risk people
Old people Yes 198 96.1
No 8 3.9
Pregnant women Yes 192 93.2
No 14 6.8
Rich people Yes 194 94.2
No 12 5.8
People with pre-existing diseases such as cancer and diabetes Yes 201 97.6
No 5 2.4
All people are equally at risk Yes 202 98.1
No 4 1.9
Knowledge of COVID-19 transmission route
Transfer through Coughs and sneezes Yes 206 100
Transfer from contaminated surfaces Yes 197 95.6
No 9 4.4
Eating expired foods Yes 41 19.9
No 165 80.1
Close contact with infected persons Yes 185 89.8
No 21 10.2
Breathing contaminated air Yes 199 96.6
No 7 3.4
Knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms
Fever, dry cough, breathing difficulty Yes 199 96.6
No 7 3.4
Sore throat, blocked nose, loss of smell Yes 146 70.9
No 60 29.1
Stomach upset Yes 20 9.7
No 186 90.3
Knowledge of COVID-19 prevention
Frequent handwashing Yes 204 99.0
No 2 1.0
Not touching eyes/nose/mouth with unwashed hands Yes 205 99.5
No 1 0.5
Wearing face/nose mask Yes 206 100
No - -
Isolating infected persons Yes 205 99.5
No 1 0.5
Keeping physical/social distancing Yes 202 98.1
No 4 1.9
Daily drinking and bathing herbal concoctions Yes 167 81.1
No 39 18.9
Knowledge of treatment options for COVID-19
Medical treatment Yes 199 96.6
No 7 3.4
Vaccine treatment Yes 197 95.6
No 9 4.4
Spiritual healing Yes 63 30.6
No 143 69.4
Herbal treatment/Heat inhalation Yes 163 79.1
No 43 20.9
Certain death for infected persons Yes 54 26.2
No 152 73.8
Overall Knowledge Score Good 123 59.7
Poor 83 40.3

With respect to the mode of COVID-19 transmission, all participants (100%) identified direct transmission through coughs and sneezes as a possible route. Large proportions of participants also identified transfer from contaminated surfaces (95.6%), close contact with infected persons (89.8%) and breathing contaminated air (96.6%) as other routes of transmission. Only 41 participants, representing 19.9% identified “eating expired foods” as a mode of transmitting COVID-19, indicating that participants had good knowledge of transmission modes of the disease.

When participants were asked about symptoms of COVID-19, 96.6% identified fever, dry cough and breathing difficulties as symptoms. About 70.9% of participants identified sore throat, blocked nose, and loss of the sense of smell as symptom. Only 9.7% of participants identified stomach upset as a symptom of COVID-19, indicating that participants were generally uninformed about the non-respiratory symptoms of the disease.

On knowledge of COVID-19 prevention, nearly all participants identified the five key prevention protocols, i.e., frequent handwashing under running water, wearing facemasks, abstaining from touching the face with unwashed hands, isolating infected persons, and maintaining social/physical distancing, as important. Frequent handwashing under running water was identified as important by 99% of participants. Abstaining from touching the eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands as well as isolating persons infected with the disease were all identified as important by 99.5% of participants. All participants (100%) identified the wearing of facemask as important in COVID-19 prevention. Interestingly, 81.1% of participants stated that drinking and bathing herbal concoctions could protect against the disease, indicating that participants hold unproven beliefs about the efficacy of folk medicine in COVID-19 prevention.

On knowledge of COVID-19 treatment options, a large proportion of participants (96.6%) identified medical treatment or a vaccine (95.6% of participants) as possible treatment options, indicating a misunderstanding of the preventive function of vaccines. About 79.1% of participants identified herbal treatment or heat inhalation as a treatment option, while 30.1% stated spiritual healing as a possible treatment option, indicating greater support for folk and traditional remedies over spiritual interventions in COVID-19 treatment. About 26.2% indicated that COVID-19 was untreatable and always resulted in death of infected persons, indicating that more than a quarter of participants misunderstood the course and resolution of the disease.

A threshold of “good knowledge of COVID-19” was set arbitrarily at a knowledge score, exceeding the mean score for all participants, found to be 16.7 (standard deviation, SD±1.52). Based on this, 59.7% of participants were grouped as possessing good knowledge of COVID-19 while the remaining 40.3% possessed poor knowledge.

Taken together, the results of COVID-19 knowledge among participants suggests that although participants had general awareness of the disease, its transmission, prevention and treatment, their knowledge was also tainted by inaccuracies and a belief in the efficacy of folk medicine in COVID-19 prevention and treatment.

Next, participants were asked about COVID-19 preventive measures initiated at home or workplace (Table 3). Most participants reported temporary self-isolation (93.2%), cleaning surfaces with disposable paper towels or napkins (94.2%), placement of hand disinfection items at the entrance to their homes or workplaces (94.2%) and disinfecting door handles (91.7%) as measures they initiated during the outbreak. Additionally, 61.2% of participants reported wearing facemasks all the time or some of the time (83.0% of participants) whereas 3.4% of participants indicated not wearing them at all during the outbreak. Most participants also reported washing hands with soap under running water (92.7%), avoiding handshakes (84.0% of participants) and eating more healthy foods (95.1%) as preventive measures initiated since the outbreak began.

Table 3.COVID-19 preventive behaviours/practices initiated at home or workplace

Behaviour Answer categories Frequency Percentage (%)
Temporary self-isolation Yes 192 93.2
No 14 6.8
Cleaning surfaces with disposable paper towels Yes 194 94.2
No 12 5.8
Placement of handwashing/disinfection items at entrance Yes 194 94.2
No 12 5.8
Cleaning surfaces with napkins Yes 194 94.2
No 12 5.8
Disinfecting door handles Yes 189 91.7
No 17 8.3
Being more conscious about protecting the hands, eyes/mouth/nose at work Agree 185 89.8
Disagree 10 4.9
Disagree 11 5.3
Regular use of facemask Agree 126 61.2
Undecided 22 10.7
Disagree 58 28.2
Occasional use of facemask Agree 171 83.0
Undecided 12 5.8
Disagree 23 11.2
Never use facemask Agree 7 3.4
Undecided 5 94.2
Disagree 194 94.2
Coughing or sneezing in a tissue or handkerchief Agree 174 84.5
Undecided 12 5.8
Disagree 20 9.7
Regular washing of hands with soap under running water Agree 191 92.7
Undecided 4 1.9
Disagree 11 5.3
Avoiding handshakes Agree 173 84.0
Undecided 16 7.8
Disagree 17 8.3
Eating healthily Agree 196 95.1
Undecided 3 1.5
Disagree 7 3.4
Overall Attitude Score Good Attitude 141 68.4
Poor attitude 65 31.6

The mean score for good attitude and practices towards COVID-19 was 10.7 (SD±1.71) out of the total 12 questions posed. Participants were classified as possessing good attitude and practices if their total attitude score was 11 or 12, and poor attitude if they attained a total score less than 11. Overall, 68.4% of participants who reached the threshold demonstrated good attitude and practices to disease prevention, while the remaining 31.6% failed to reach the threshold score and were grouped as having poor attitude and practices.

Together, the results of “good COVID-19 preventive attitudes” indicates that the participants initiated good preventive measures during the previous outbreak.

Concerning challenges participants faced in implementing COVID-19 preventive protocols or awareness creation, 65.5% identified COVID-19 denialism and denial of COVID-19 severity as problems faced in implementing preventive protocols (Table 4). Also, refusal to wear facemasks by other salespersons as well as shoppers constituted a challenge in implementing the preventive protocols for 65% of participants. Only 2.9% of participants reported unaffordability of facemasks as constituting a reason for refusal to use facemasks, while 45.1% of participants reported discomfort associated with wearing facemasks as accounting for the refusal. About 68.9% of participants reported no challenges in COVID-19 awareness creation.

Table 4.Challenges to implementing COVID-19 prevention measures at home and workplace

Variable Answer categories Frequency Percentage (%)
COVID-19 denialism Yes 135 65.5
No 71 34.5
Denial of COVID-19 severity Yes 135 65.5
No 71 34.5
Refusal to use facemasks Yes 134 65
No 72 35.0
Unaffordability of facemasks Agree 6 2.9
Undecided 7 3.4
Disagree 193 93.7
Discomfort of facemask use Agree 93 45.1
Undecided 14 6.8
Disagree 99 48.1
No problems encountered in awareness creation Yes 142 68.9
No 64 31.1

Together, the results of challenges faced in implementing COVID-19 preventive measures indicate that poor attitudes or knowledge of COVID-19 by salespersons and shoppers alike constituted a problem.

Next, the factors that predicted good COVID-19 knowledge as well as good attitudes to COVID-19 prevention among participants were assessed. Good knowledge of COVID-19 mode of transmission, symptoms, preventive measures, and current treatment options were found to be significantly predicted by gender, age, and educational level when odd ratios were unadjusted. After adjustment of the odds ratios, gender and educational level remained as significant predictors (Table 5). Female participants were found to be 6.19 times more likely to possess good knowledge of COVID-19 than males (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=6.19, 95% confidence inerval, CI=2.76-13.56). Also, participants in Group 2 educational level, which included OʹLevel, AʹLevel, Senior High School and Technical or Vocational Education levels, were about 0.3 times less likely to possess poor COVID-19 knowledge than participants with no formal education (aOR=0.25, 95% CI=0.09-0.71). Marital status and religious affiliation did not significantly impact COVID-19 knowledge scores.

Table 5.Predictors of COVID-19 knowledge

Variable COR1 95% CI for COR p-⁠value3 AOR2 95% CI for AOR2 p-⁠value4
Lower Upper Lower Upper
Gender Female 5.84 2.82 12.08 <0.001 6.19 2.68 13.56 <0.001
Male 1
Age 0.005 0.591
15-30 1.40 0.57 3.48 0.464 2.46 0.74 8.17 0.141
31-45 3.18 1.36 7.44 0.008 2.01 0.80 5.36 0.134
≥46 1 1
Marital status 0.403 0.903
Divorced 1.87 0.11 30.91 0.663 0.66 0.02 28.17 0.822
Married 1.47 0.83 2.61 0.187 1.17 0.50 2.73 0.745
Never married 1 1
Educational status 0.002 0.013
Group 1 0.74 0.32 1.74 0.493 0.68 0.25 1.86 0.683
Group 2 0.31 0.13 0.75 0.009 0.25 0.09 0.71 0.009
Group 3 1.52 0.58 4.02 0.398 1.29 0.42 3.94 0.653
Group 4 0.19 0.04 0.99 0.049 0.36 0.06 2.30 0.279
Group 5 1 1
Religion 0.655 0.991
Christian 0.33 0.03 3.66 0.36 0.76 0.06 9.59 0.829
Muslim 0.32 0.03 4.01 0.380 0.70 0.05 9.91 0.793
Other 0.75 0.04 14.97 0.851 0.60 0.02 20.16 0.777
Animist 1 1

1COR, crude odds ratio; 2AOR, adjusted odds ratio; 3P-value, significance level of COR; 4P-value, significance level for AOR; Group 1, Middle/JHS/JSS educational level; Group 2, O’Level/A’Level/SHS/Technical/Vocational Educational Level; Group 3, Primary School level; Group 4, Tertiary educational level; Group 5, no formal education

Both “Age Group” and “Educational Level” were found to significantly predict good attitude towards COVID-19 prevention when both the unadjusted odds ratios and adjusted odd ratios of association were considered. Participants in the 15-30 age group were 6.91 times less likely to possess good attitude to COVID-19 prevention compared with participants in the ≥46 age group (aOR=6.91, 95% CI=1.94-24.62). Also, participants in the Group 2 level of education, which included OʹLevel, AʹLevel, Senior High School and Technical or Vocational education levels, were 0.11 times less likely to possess poor attitude to COVID-19 prevention (aOR=0.11, 95% CI=0.04-0.36) than participants who had no formal education. Gender of participants, marital status and religious affiliation did not significantly predict attitude to COVID-19 prevention.

This study assessed the predictors of correct knowledge, attitudes, and practices of salespersons in the markets of the Cape Coast Metropolis and sanitation workers of the University of Cape Coast. The major findings included that participants’ knowledge of COVID-19 was found to be tainted with inaccuracies, and that participants’ attitudes and practices to COVID-19 prevention were generally good. Also, poor knowledge and attitude by other shoppers constituted a challenge for initiating good preventive practices or awareness creation, and that the demographic variables such as gender, age group and educational level significantly predicted correct COVID-19 knowledge and good attitude towards COVID-19 prevention.

When COVID-19 was confirmed in Ghana among a pair of travellers from Norway and Turkey on March 12, 2020, the government launched a raft of interventions that included heightened surveillance, contact-tracing, border closures and quarantine of arrivals in the country, which together with a massive public campaign in the media launched to provide the petrified citizenry information on preventing community spread of the disease, has been declared responsible for the relatively low case count and case fatality rate (CFR) for the country.22,23 However, the unmitigated spread of the disease has ruled out any initial expectations of defeating COVID-19 by containment and elimination alone, and thus evolution to an endemic status now appears inevitable.12,13 But living with COVID-19 in the long-term could be challenged by high infectivity of SARS-CoV2, the rapid emergence of newer vaccine resistant strains and high vaccine attrition rate. In the meanwhile, containment measures will be strongly aided by public understanding of preventive measures.

This study has found that despite the enormous efforts and resources put into COVID-19 education, misunderstanding of the transmission mode, poor knowledge of risk factors, prevention and treatment of the disease persists among a significant proportion of participants (Table 2). The proportion of participants with good knowledge of COVID-19, found in this study to be 59.7%, was higher than the value of 52.3% reported among Ethiopians in August 202124 but lower than figures reported from Afghanistan (approximately 72%)25 and from Nigeria (99.5%)20 recorded earlier in the pandemic. High socioeconomic status, including high educational level, has been previously established to be positively associated with high knowledge of COVID-19.20,24–27 The participants of this study consisted of salespersons and sanitation workers, most with a high school education or lower, and many belonged in the lower socioeconomic class, which may account for the reduced knowledge score. Additionally, public educational campaigns on COVID-19 in the media have tended to be oversimplified in efforts to reach out to a universal population with diverse educational levels, resulting in confused and polarised discourse on the disease.28 For example, stomach upset as a symptom of COVID-19 is rarely included in public announcements in Ghana, perhaps, because gastrointestinal symptoms have been rarely reported among COVID-19 cases in the country.29

Another factor that may have accounted for the reduced knowledge scores among participants of this study was the widespread belief in the efficacy of traditional medicine to both prevent and treat COVID-19. Drinking herbal concoctions or adding them to bath water was cited as an effective COVID-19 preventive method by 81.1% of participants, and a similar number indicated that these home remedies could treat the disease as well (Table 2). At the start of the pandemic, the efficacy of herbal preparations, steam inhalation and other unorthodox treatments for the disease was vigorously defended by desperate members of the public and even national governments, even though little to no scientific support for their efficacy was adduced.30–32 In countries with weak health infrastructure and poor access to quality healthcare, or where patients’ alternative treatment choices are uncritically promoted, unorthodox treatments and quackery are also common.33–35 The danger of holding such beliefs is that they can impair public education on correct preventive practices and delay medical treatment for people infected by the disease. It is recommended that education campaigns on COVID-19 consider the impact of such beliefs on campaign efficacy.

Overall, participants initiated good COVID-19 preventive practices during the last outbreak, scoring a mean score of 10.69 (SD±1.71) out of 12. The proportion of participants crossing the threshold for classification as possessing positive COVID-19 preventive attitude was 68.4%, a figure lower than reported figures in China at the height of the global pandemic in 202036 or in Ethiopia a year later.24 The reason for the lower figures may be due not only to the relatively lower level of COVID-19 knowledge among the participants but also the reported low level of fear of the disease or its outcomes among Ghanaians.37 The case fatality rate (CFR) for Ghana at the height of the pandemic in June 2020 was reported to be 0.66%2 compared with CFR of between 9-12% in North America and 14-19% in West and North Europe.38 Hence, COVID-19 denialism or denialism of severity of the disease may be an underlying factor in negative attitudes to prevention. Indeed, 65.5% of participants in this study cited these factors as constituting challenges to implementing COVID-19 prevention measures in their homes or workplaces.

High educational status predicted good COVID-19 preventive practices (Table 6), possibly linked with good knowledge of COVID-19 mode of transmission, symptoms, preventive measures, and current treatment options (Table 5). Participants with a Senior High School or Vocational and Technical education were about 9 times significantly more likely to possess a positive attitude and good practices to COVID-19 prevention than participants who were not educated. This finding is in line with previous reports, which likewise found that high educational status significantly predicted positive COVID-19 preventive attitudes.24–26,36,37,39,40 Respondents with a tertiary education qualification did not show this effect, although the small sample size of respondents in that category (5.8% of the total sample size) could make the analysis liable to type II error (i.e., false negative). Unsurprisingly, it is uncommon to find university-educated people engaged in janitorial services or employed as salespersons in local markets. However, the KAP of front office managers, receptionists, office assistants and similar portfolios, who also regularly interact with people may be recruited into future studies of this kind.

Table 6.Challenges to implementing COVID-19 prevention measures at home and workplace

Variable COR1 95% CI for COR p-⁠value3 AOR2 95% CI for AOR p-⁠value4
Lower Upper Lower Upper
Gender Female 0.98 0.53 1.82 0.94 1.70 0.79 3.58 0.178
Male 1 1
Age 0.004 0.006
15-30 4.32 1.60 11.71 0.004 6.91 1.94 24.62 0.003
31-45 1.82 0.68 4.87 0.230 1.88 0.63 5.55 0.257
≥46 1 1
Marital status 0.072 0.642
Divorced 0.001 0.001 - 0.999 0.56 <0.01 - 1.000
Married 0.50 0.27 0.90 0.022 0.65 0.27 1.57 0.336
Never married 1 1
Educational status 0.118 0.001
Group 1 0.70 0.29 1.67 0.417 0.37 0.13 1.02 0.055
Group 2 0.35 0.14 0.87 0.024 0.11 0.04 0.36 <0.001
Group 3 0.65 0.24 1.76 0.395 0.57 0.19 1.77 0.334
Group 4 1.36 0.36 5.11 0.652 1.39 0.30 6.51 0.675
Group 5 1 1
Religion 0.976 0.661
Christian 0.98 0.09 11.07 0.989 2.32 0.14 37.35 0.554
Muslim 0.80 0.06 10.11 0.863 1.29 0.07 22.85 0.864
Other <0.01 <0.01 - 0.999 <0.01 <0.01 - 0.999
Animist 1 1

1COR, crude odds ratio; 2AOR, adjusted odds ratio; 3P-value, significance level of COR; 4P-value, significance level for AOR; Group 1, Middle/JHs/JSS educational level; Group 2, O’Level/A’Level/SHS/Technical/Vocational Educational Level; Group 3, Primary School level; Group 4, Tertiary educational level; Group 5, no formal education

Interestingly, this study found that participants who were in the 15-30 age group were about 7 times significantly less likely to have a positive attitude to COVID-19 preventive measures than participants in the ≥46 age group. Public awareness campaigns on COVID-19 often identify advanced age and pre-existing health conditions as risk factors for severe COVID-19. Individuals within the youthful age categories may feel immune to the disease and thus engage in negligent attitudes, which could promote spread of COVID-19. A study conducted in Nigeria reported that participants who were 50 years or younger were less likely to practice handwashing (a key positive attitude to COVID-19 prevention) than participants who were older than 50 years,39 indicating that younger people were generally less concerned about observing the safety protocols than older people. Unfortunately, the evolving SARS-CoV2 might mutate to select younger members of the population, especially as early vaccines were offered only to people in older age groups and vaccine uptake by the younger population has been low. Recent figures by the Ghana Health Service indicates that the country may well be in its 5th wave of infections, and only time will tell if the country’s infection profile is not substantially altered by the differences in attitude to preventive measures and vaccine uptake among the old and young population.

COVID-19 has wreaked grave health and economic havoc and disrupted the ordinary way of life of people across the globe, and the effects may continue to live with us for many years to come. A “new normal” way of living based on the knowledge that COVID-19 may never go away has shifted the global response to the disease from containment and elimination to reducing transmissibility, disease severity and CFR using a combination of vaccination, enhanced hygiene protocols and increased public awareness.

This study has shown that knowledge and attitudes, which inform practice of COVID-19 prevention protocols, remain low among critical sections of the Ghanaian population. In the previous outbreaks of the disease, the marketplaces were identified as common sources of infection. Thus, improved knowledge and attitude scores among salespersons in the markets and sanitation workers in public spaces are desired for effective transmission control. COVID-19 information for people with low or no formal education should be tailored to their level of understanding, while stressing the harm caused by misinformation and medical quackery. Greater efforts should be made towards awareness creation for members of the population younger than 30 years of age to improve both their knowledge and attitude scores. This is important because while it appears that the risk of symptomatic infection and serious disease and death remains low in people younger than 30 years, this age group could be a reservoir of infections for people in more vulnerable groups.

Acknowledgements

We thank the executive members of the Abura Market Women Association and of the University of Cape Coast Sanitary Workers Association for giving us permission to contact their members for data collection at their respective workplaces. We also thank all the participants who took part in this research work.

Ethics statement

This study received clearance (BMS/IRB/2021/028) from the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Coast Ethical Review Committee. Informed consent was obtained from all participants involved in the study.

Funding

There was no external funding for this work.

Authorship contributions

AMU: conception, data collection, data analysis and manuscript writing
DLE: data collection, data processing and manuscript editing
JDK: data collection, methodology design, manuscript drafting
PQ: data collection, methodology design, manuscript drafting
IB: data analysis, manuscript editing
MBU: data processing and analysis, manuscript drafting and editing
KOA: data analysis, manuscript drafting and editing
FTD (Principal Investigator): conception, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing

Disclosure of interest

The authors completed the ICMJE Disclosure of Interest Form (available upon request from the corresponding author) and disclose no relevant interests.

Correspondence:

Francis T. Djankpa, [email protected]
Dept. of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences,
University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

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9Jun

ER visits spike amid wildfire smoke: asthma, breathing problems

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Hospitals in New York City are reporting a sharp increase in ER visits for asthma and other respiratory problems due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

“At Lenox Health Greenwich Village, for example, the number of asthma treatments were more than double the average,” a spokesperson for Northwell Health told NBC News 4.

The air quality index (AQI) jumped to 254 — a degree rated “very unhealthy” for everyone — on Wednesday, June 7, as the New York City region was blanketed under eerie orange skies.

By comparison, the AQI just two days earlier was only 53, which is considered acceptable by the U.S. government’s AirNow website.

The pollutant of greatest concern during wildfires is called PM 2.5, or particulate matter that’s 2.5 microns wide or smaller.


image of new york city under orange skies
An eerie orange haze settled over New York City on Thursday, June 7, as smoke from Canadian wildfires crossed into the United States.
AP

“PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g., vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires), according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

“Exposure can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath,” the DEC explained.

“Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.”


doctor examines woman with breathing problems
People with lung disease, heart disease or who are immunocompromised need to take special precautions during an air-quality alert.
Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist with the Allergy & Asthma Network, told The Post that “children, elderly, pregnant women, those with lung disease (asthma, COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], lung cancer), heart disease or immunocompromised” are most at risk.

Even people who are not at high risk need to be cautious, she noted.

“These gases can cause heart disease and cognitive issues as they impact your blood’s ability to oxygenate other vital organs. The smoke inhalation can cause premature or preterm birth in pregnant women as well,” Parikh said.

She also advised: “It’s best to stay inside in bad days and run a HEPA air purifier if you have them. Keep windows closed and wear masks outside — higher-grade medical masks are best like N95, KN95.” 

Air quality problems are likely to continue up to the start of the weekend: The New York DEC issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Long Island, New York City Metro, and Western New York regions through midnight, Friday, June 9.

And Canada is faring no better.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there are still more than 400 active fires across the vast country, CBS News reported.

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9Jun

Urgent hot weather warning issued to millions at risk of deadly flare-ups this weekend

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Millions of asthmatics are at risk of potentially fatal attacks this weekend, experts warn.

‘Very high’ pollen levels are expected in many parts of the UK as temperatures hit highs of 30°C.

In asthma, there is a risk of asthma attacks in hot weather

2

In asthma, there is a risk of asthma attacks in hot weatherPhoto credit: Getty
Pollen levels are forecast to be very high in certain parts of the UK

2

Pollen levels are forecast to be very high in certain parts of the UK

According to Asthma + Lung UK, the warm weather conditions put people with asthma and other breathing conditions at a higher risk of developing life-threatening reactions.

This can be as mild as shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing or, in the worst cases, hospitalization or a fatal seizure.

Emma Rubach, the charity’s head of health advice, said: “High levels of pollen can be very dangerous for people with conditions like asthma, producing serious symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.”

“They can trigger asthma attacks, which can be terrifying and make them unable to breathe.

“It can be fatal and in the UK around four people are already dying from an asthma attack every day.”

“People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can find themselves feeling much more breathless than usual and produce more or stickier mucus, which may require hospital treatment.”

Those suffering should stay indoors if possible, make sure they use their preventive inhaler as directed, and carry their device with them at all times.

“Treating hay fever symptoms with antihistamine pills and a steroid nasal spray can also help stop an allergic reaction to pollen and prevent the already sensitive airways from becoming even more inflamed,” she added.

Emma urged people to look out for warning signs that hay fever could be affecting their lungs.

“These include shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing or coughing,” she said.

“But there are simple steps you can take now to protect yourself.”

“However, if the symptoms clearly worsen, we recommend that you make an urgent appointment with your GP or healthcare professional.”

Pollen is a major trigger for nearly half of the population with asthma and a quarter of people with COPD.

This means that people’s airways are narrowed and inflamed.

Also, if you’re allergic to pollen and breathing it in, it can cause the muscles around your airways to tighten even further.

The mucous membrane can then become swollen and inflamed, causing sticky mucus to build up and making it difficult to breathe.

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

Hay fever is a common allergic condition. Up to one in five people will be affected at some point in their lives.

If you are allergic to pollen, you will experience hay fever symptoms.

Symptoms of hay fever include:

  • frequent sneezing
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • Itchy, red, or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
  • an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
  • Cough caused by postnasal drip (mucus dripping from the bridge of the nose into the throat)

Less commonly, the following may also occur:

  • the loss of your sense of smell (anosmia)
  • facial pain (caused by blocked sinuses)
  • Headache
  • earache
  • tiredness and exhaustion

If you have asthma, hay fever may make your asthma symptoms worse.

Source: NHS

More than five million people in the UK suffer from asthma and over 1.3 million are living with a diagnosis of COPD – an umbrella term for a group of lung diseases that make it difficult to breathe.

Overall, over 38 percent of all people with lung diseases are triggered by pollen.

The Met Office issued warnings of “very high” pollen levels in Yorkshire and Humberside, the North West, the West Midlands, Wales, East England, the South West and London and South East England today and early next week.

In Scotland, scores are ‘high’ in the Dumfries and Galloway and Lothian Borders and Highlands and Eilean Siar, while scores in Northern Ireland are also ranked as high.

Grass pollen is the most common trigger of hay fever, affecting around 95 percent of people with the allergic reaction.

Values ​​are often at their highest between mid-May and July.

Statistics show that when grass pollen levels are high, the number of asthmatics requiring hospital treatment for their symptoms increases.

There is also evidence that there is a link between high grass pollen levels and increased rates of COPD hospitalizations.

During the hot spell, Asthma + Lung UK advises people sensitive to pollen to:

  • Check weather, pollen and pollution forecasts
  • Use a preventive inhaler (if you have one) as directed.
  • Carry a rescue inhaler (usually blue).
  • Use a steroid nasal spray every day
  • Take antihistamine pills that don’t make you drowsy
  • Avoid the heat if possible
  • Keep away from the sun
  • Use a fan
  • Train sensibly
  • Drink cold water
  • Keep your home cool
  • Take cool baths or showers
  • Eat as usual

Other health problems that are at increased risk in high temperatures include heart problems, kidney disease, diabetes and neurological disorders.

dr Natasha Fernando, MBBS, MRCGP – Head of Clinical Excellence at Medichecks, said, “High temperatures can put additional stress on the cardiovascular system, leading to an increased risk of heart-related complications in people with heart conditions such as heart disease or congestion. Congestive heart failure, high blood pressure or a history of stroke.

“People with kidney disease are at greater risk of the damaging effects of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances during a heat wave.

“In people with diabetes, high temperature and dehydration can affect glycemic control and impact overall diabetes management.

I'm curvy - I've never tried on a bathing suit without crying
Hair expert shares how to achieve perfect curls at home without tools

“And heat can impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature in people with certain neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease or autonomic dysregulation disorders.

“These individuals may be more sensitive to heat and therefore at higher risk for heat-related complications.”

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9Jun

Respiratory Disposables Market Size Likely to be valued at Expand US$ 1,369.9 Million by The End of 2030, Future Trends, Key Insights and Business Strategies for Smiths Group (Smith Medical Inc.), Hamilton Medical AG

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The global Respiratory Disposables market is projected to surpass US$ 2,910.10 million by the end of 2030, in terms of revenue, growing at a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period (2023 to 2030). Respiratory disposables are medical devices that are designed to be used alongside respiratory devices like oxygen therapy devices, nebulizers, ventilators, and other respiratory support equipment. These disposables are an integral part of respiratory care as they help deliver the necessary treatments and therapies for respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, and more.

During respiratory pandemics like the COVID-19 outbreak, the use of respiratory disposables becomes even more crucial. These disposables include items like masks, filters, tubing, and other accessories that are designed for single-use or limited use to prevent the transmission of infections. By using disposable components, healthcare providers can save time on cleaning and sterilization procedures, reducing the economic burden on hospitals and healthcare facilities.

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**Note – Updated Version 2023 is available

(The sample of this report is readily available on request. The report sample contains a brief introduction to the research report, a Table of Contents, a Graphical introduction of regional analysis, Top players in the market with their revenue analysis, and our research methodology.)

Our Sample Report May Includes:

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Respiratory Disposables Market Competitive Analysis:

Know your current market situation! Not just new products but ongoing products are also essential to analyze due to ever-changing market dynamics. The study allows marketers to understand consumer trends and segment analysis where they can face a rapid market share drop. Figure out who really the competition is in the marketplace, get to know market share analysis, market position, % Market Share, and segmented revenue.

Players Included in Research Coverage: 

★ Smiths Group (Smith Medical Inc.)
★ Hamilton Medical AG
★ Getinge AB
★ Drägerwerk AG & CO. KGAA
★ Invacare Corporation
★ Air Liquide S.A.
★ Chart Industries Inc
★ Masimo Corporation
★ Medtronic Plc.
★ Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited

Additionally, Past Respiratory Disposables Market data breakdown, Market Entropy to understand development activity and Patent Analysis*, Competitors Swot Analysis, Product Specifications, and Peer Group Analysis including financial metrics are covered.

Segmentation and Targeting:

Essential demographic, geographic, psychographic, and behavioral information about business segments in the Respiratory Disposables market is targeted to aid in determining the features the company should encompass in order to fit into the business’s requirements. For the Consumer-based market – the study is also classified with Market Maker information in order to understand better who the clients are, their buying behavior, and patterns.

By Product: Laryngoscope, Tubes, Breathing Bag, Resuscitator, and Others

By End User: Hospitals, Nursing Homes, & Clinics (Neonatal & pediatric, Adult, and Geriatric), Trauma Centres (Neonatal & pediatric, Adult, and Geriatric), and Homecare (Neonatal & pediatric, Adult, and Geriatric)

By Patient Group: (Neonatal & pediatric, Adult, and Geriatric

Respiratory Disposables Major Geographical First Level Segmentation:

• North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico)

• South America (Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Rest of South America)

• MEA (Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa)

• APAC (Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, India, and the Rest of APAC; the Rest of APAC is further segmented into Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka)

• Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe; Rest of Europe is further segmented into Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania)

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Manufacturing Analysis: The report includes an analysis of various product types and applications in the Respiratory Disposables market. The manufacturing process is examined and validated through primary information collected from industry experts and key officials of profiled companies.

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9Jun

New York smoke: Jodie Comer is helped off stage after struggling to breathe due to toxic smog

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British actress Jodie Comer complained she 'couldn't breathe' as she was helped off stage minutes into her Broadway show after toxic fumes from wildfires engulfed New York City.

The matinee performance of Prima Facie was halted after ten minutes on Wednesday, but was resumed with understudy Dani Arlington standing in for the lead role of Tessa.

It came after officials issued a code red 'stay inside' warning for more than 100million people across North America, as smoke from vast wildfires in Canada billowed down across the border - with the smog set to last until the weekend. 

Audience members said the one-woman play about a defence barrister started ten minutes late. 

Three minutes in, Comer, 30, is understood to have coughed, paused, and then told the stage manager: 'I can't breathe in this air', before being helped off stage.

Hundreds of forest fires have scorched 9.4million acres of land and forced 120,000 people from their homes in an unusually early and intense start to the wildfire season. 

The skies above New York and many other North American cities grew progressively hazier through Wednesday, with an eerie yellowish tinge and the air smelling of burning wood. 

A post on Instagram praising Arlington for her performance after Comer had to leave the stage

An audience member shows empty seats after Comer was helped off stage

British actress Jodie Comer had to be helped off stage minutes into a Broadway show as toxic fumes from wildfires engulfed New York City on Wednesday

Audience members said the one-woman play about a defence barrister started ten minutes late. Three minutes in, Comer (pictured on June 6), 30, is understood to have coughed, paused, and then told the stage manager: 'I can't breathe in this air'

Audience members said the one-woman play about a defence barrister started ten minutes late. Three minutes in, Comer (pictured on June 6), 30, is understood to have coughed, paused, and then told the stage manager: 'I can't breathe in this air'

The One World Trade Center tower in lower Manhattan in New York City is pictured shortly after sunrise as haze and smoke caused by wildfires in Canada hangs over the Manhattan skyline on June 8

The One World Trade Center tower in lower Manhattan in New York City is pictured shortly after sunrise as haze and smoke caused by wildfires in Canada hangs over the Manhattan skyline on June 8

This handout satellite image courtesy of NASA's Earth Observatory taken on June 7, 2023, shows smoke sweeping into New York and Pennsylvania

This handout satellite image courtesy of NASA's Earth Observatory taken on June 7, 2023, shows smoke sweeping into New York and Pennsylvania

Pedestrians wearing face masks walk in New York on June 7, 2023. Smoke from raging wildfires in Canada has triggered air quality alerts in a number of US states

Pedestrians wearing face masks walk in New York on June 7, 2023. Smoke from raging wildfires in Canada has triggered air quality alerts in a number of US states

Speaking to Deadline, one theatregoer said the curtain came down and audience members were asked to remain seated while a decision was made over whether to continue. 

They were told that the matinee would continue with Comer's understudy, Dani Arlington, who went on to complete the performance to enthusiastic applause, the showbiz magazine reported. 

Its source said by the time the performance began again, many had left their seats seeking either tickets for a different date or a refund.

Nevertheless, those that stayed greeted the end of Arlington's performance with a loud standing ovation, they said. 

Kim Savarino, an artist from Brooklyn, took to Instagram to praise Arlington.

'Had one of those NYC days,' she wrote on her Instagram stories. 'Saw @primafaciebroadwayplay and about ten minutes in Jodie Comer had to stop the show because she couldn't breathe in the smoky air.

'They closed the house curtain and did some stage management wizardry so they could start again an hour later - @daniarlington ate the f**k out of this role, and it was truly thrilling to be with her for those 100 minute (all hail the swings and understudies that keep theater together).

'Truly one of my favorite things about theater is the chaos and unpredictability and liveness of it all, and this was a genuine bright spot in the apocalyptic hellscape that is NYC today,' she wrote. 

Not everyone was happy with the substitution. 'We came to see Jodie Comer,' one person wrote in Twitter. 'She started show. Had to stop for air quality. Now want us to see understudy. What is refund policy? Exchange? We came and paid high price to see Jodie.'

Comer's performance was not the only disruption due to the smog yesterday as Hamilton and Camelot cancelled Wednesday performances on Broadway.

And it was not to be at Central Park's outdoor stage, either. Shakespeare in the Park cancelled its Thursday and Friday performances of Hamlet, saying 'tis not nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of wretched air'.

Major League Baseball's Yankees and Phillies had their games postponed.

A National Women's Soccer League match in Harrison, New Jersey, was also rescheduled, as was a WNBA women's basketball game in Brooklyn. 

Travel was also disrupted. Federal officials paused some flights bound for New York's LaGuardia Airport and slowed planes to Newark and Philadelphia because smoke was limiting visibility.

And with weather systems expected to hardly budge, the smoky blanket billowing from Quebec and Nova Scotia and sending plumes of fine particulate matter as far away as North Carolina should persist into Thursday and possibly the weekend.

A map showing the air quality over the east coast of the United States, with purple indicating 'very unhealthy' conditions

A map showing the air quality over the east coast of the United States, with purple indicating 'very unhealthy' conditions

A man runs in front of the sun rising over the lower Manhattan skyline in Jersey City on June 8, with hazy conditions continuing

A man runs in front of the sun rising over the lower Manhattan skyline in Jersey City on June 8, with hazy conditions continuing

A view of the yellow-tinged city as smoke from Canadian wildfires swept into New York on June 7

A view of the yellow-tinged city as smoke from Canadian wildfires swept into New York on June 7

People venture out onto the street despite the poor air quality and warnings to stay inside

People venture out onto the street despite the poor air quality and warnings to stay inside

A person wearing a face mask takes photos of the skyline as smoke from wildfires in Canada cause hazy conditions in New York City on June 7

A person wearing a face mask takes photos of the skyline as smoke from wildfires in Canada cause hazy conditions in New York City on June 7

Pedestrians covering their mouths venture out onto the street in New York on June 7

Pedestrians covering their mouths venture out onto the street in New York on June 7

The World Trade Centre is seen through the smoke in New York City on June 7

The World Trade Centre is seen through the smoke in New York City on June 7

A view of the hazy city during bad air quality in New York, United States, on June 7

A view of the hazy city during bad air quality in New York, United States, on June 7

Tourists were not put off taking snaps at Times Square in New York City as smoke from wildfires in Canada spread across the north east of the United States on June 8

Tourists were not put off taking snaps at Times Square in New York City as smoke from wildfires in Canada spread across the north east of the United States on June 8

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the potential adverse health effects of prolonged exposure to such bad air quality. 

Wildfire smoke has been linked with higher rates of heart attacks and strokes, increases in emergency room visits for asthma and other respiratory conditions, eye irritation, itchy skin and rashes, among other problems. 

How to stay safe during wildfire smog 

With smoke pouring across the border from Canada, air quality warnings are in effect for more than 100 million people in the US. 

An online calculator suggested breathing in the air in New York City for 24 hours is equivalent to smoking 22 cigarettes.

Here are some ways you can stay safe during wildfire smog from the National Weather Service in New York:

  • Stay Indoors: The best way to avoid exposure is by staying inside when smoke levels are high
  • Close Windows or Doors: Keep your windows and doors shut to prevent smoke from entering your home. 3. Use Air Purifiers: They can help remove particles from indoor air
  • Wear Masks: If you must go outside, wear an N95 or P100 mask that can filter out most particles
  • Use a Damp Cloth: If you don't have a mask, breathe through a damp cloth to filter out some smoke particles
  • Check Air Quality: Keep an eye on local air quality conditions to know when it's safe to go outside by going to airnow.gov
  • Avoid Outdoor Exercise: Physical activity increases your inhalation rate, so try to avoid it when smoke levels are high
  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help keep your respiratory tract moist, which can help you tolerate the smoke
  • Maintain Your HVAC System: Regular maintenance can improve your HVAC system's efficiency in filtering indoor air
  • Recirculate Your Air: Whether indoors or in your car, make sure your A/C or fan is set to 'recirculate' the air, so smoke particles in the air can get filtered out
  • Use HEPA Filters: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can be more effective at removing fine particles
  • Ventilation: When the air quality improves, open windows or use exhaust fans to ventilate your home
  • Seal Gaps and Cracks: Seal any gaps or cracks in windows and doors to prevent smoke infiltration.
  • Keep Pets Inside: Just like humans, pets can also be affected by smoke, so try to keep them indoors when the air quality is poor
  • Know the Symptoms: Understand the signs of smoke inhalation (like difficulty breathing, persistent cough, etc.) and seek medical attention if needed

Source: NWS New York

The weather system that's driving the great Canadian-American smoke out - a low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia - 'will probably be hanging around at least for the next few days,' US National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said.

'Conditions are likely to remain unhealthy, at least until the wind direction changes or the fires get put out,' Ramsey said.

'Since the fires are raging - they're really large - they're probably going to continue for weeks. But it's really just going to be all about the wind shift.'

Across eastern USA, officials warned residents to stay inside and limit or avoid outdoor activities again Thursday.

They extended 'code red' air quality alerts in some places for a third-straight day as forecasts showed winds continuing to push smoke-filled air south.

In some areas, the air quality index (AQI), which measures major pollutants including particulate matter produced by fires, was well above 400, according to Airnow, which sets 100 as 'unhealthy' and 300 as 'hazardous.'

At noon, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was recording the nation's worst air quality index, with an AQI reading of 410. 

Among major cities, New York had the highest AQI in the world on Wednesday afternoon at 342, about double the index for chronically polluted cities such as Dubai (168) and Delhi (164), according to IQAir.

In Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered schools to cancel outdoor recess, sports and field trips Thursday. In suburban Philadelphia, officials set up an emergency shelter so people living outside can take refuge from the haze.

New York Govenor Kathy Hochul said the state was making a million N95 masks - the kind prevalent at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic - available at state facilities, including 400,000 in New York City. She also urged residents to stay put.

'You don't need to go out and take a walk. You don't need to push the baby in the stroller,' Hochul said Wednesday night. 'This is not a safe time to do that.'

The message may be getting through. 

As of Wednesday, New York City has yet to see an uptick in 911 calls related to respiratory issues and cardiac arrests.

US private forecasting service AccuWeather said thick haze and soot extending from high elevations to ground level marked the worst outbreak of wildfire smoke to blanket the Northeastern US in more than 20 years.

New York's famous skyline, usually visible for miles, appeared to vanish in an otherworldly veil of smoke, which some residents said made them feel unwell.

'It makes breathing difficult,' Mohammed Abass said as he walked down Broadway in Manhattan. 'I've been scheduled for a road test for driving, for my driving license today, and it was canceled.'

The smoky air was especially tough on people working outdoors, such as Chris Ricciardi, owner of Neighbor's Envy Landscaping in Roxbury, New Jersey.

He said he and his crew were curtailing work hours and wearing masks they used for heavy pollen.

'We don't have the luxury to stop working,' he said. 'We want to keep our exposure to the smoke to a minimum, but what can you really do about it?'

A passenger waits as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned travelers to expect flights to be delayed at LaGuardia airport in New York City on Wednesday, June 7

A passenger waits as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned travelers to expect flights to be delayed at LaGuardia airport in New York City on Wednesday, June 7

Smoke billows upwards from a planned ignition by firefighters tackling the Donnie Creek Complex wildfire south of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, June 3

Smoke billows upwards from a planned ignition by firefighters tackling the Donnie Creek Complex wildfire south of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, June 3

Smoke billows upwards from a planned ignition by firefighters tackling the Donnie Creek Complex wildfire south of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, June 3

Smoke billows upwards from a planned ignition by firefighters tackling the Donnie Creek Complex wildfire south of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, June 3

Smoke from the Tantallon wildfire rises over houses in nearby Bedford, Nova Scotia, May 28

Smoke from the Tantallon wildfire rises over houses in nearby Bedford, Nova Scotia, May 28

Angel Emmanuel Ramirez, 29, a fashion stylist at a Givenchy outlet in Manhattan, said he and fellow workers began feeling ill and closed up shop early when they realized the smell of smoke was permeating the store.

'It's so intense, you would think the wildfire was happening right across the river, not up in Canada,' Ramirez said.

Reduced visibility from the haze forced the Federal Aviation Administration to slow air traffic into the New York City area and Philadelphia from elsewhere on the East Coast and upper Midwest, with flight delays averaging about a half hour. 

Schools up and down the East Coast called off outdoor activities, including sports, field trips and recesses. 

A Home Depot store in Manhattan sold out of air purifiers and masks. New York Road Runners canceled events intended to mark Global Running Day.

Tyrone Sylvester, 66, playing chess in Manhattan's Union Square as he has on most days for 30 years, but wearing a mask, said he had never seen the city's air quality so bad.

'When the sun looks like that,' he said, pointing out the bronze orb visible through the smoky sky, 'we know something's wrong. This is what global warming looks like.'

More than 400 blazes burning across Canada have left 20,000 people displaced.

The US has sent more than 600 firefighters and equipment to Canada. Other countries are also helping.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to President Joe Biden by phone on Wednesday. Trudeau's office said he thanked Biden for his support and that both leaders 'acknowledged the need to work together to address the devastating impacts of climate change.'

Canadian officials say this is shaping up to be the country's worst wildfire season ever. It started early and on drier-than-usual ground and accelerated quickly. 

Smoke from the blazes has been moving into the US since last month but intensified with recent fires in Quebec, where about 100 were considered out of control on Wednesday.

'I can taste the air,' Dr Ken Strumpf said in a Facebook post from Syracuse, New York, where the sky took on the colorful nickname of the local university: Orange.

The smoke was so thick in Canada's capital, Ottawa, that office towers just across the Ottawa River were barely visible. In Toronto, Yili Ma said her hiking group canceled a planned hike this week, and she was forgoing the restaurant patios that are a beloved summer tradition in a nation known for hard winters.

Smoke and wildfires are seen in this satellite image taken on June 8 over Canada

Smoke and wildfires are seen in this satellite image taken on June 8 over Canada

A waterbomber drops water onto the Cameron Bluffs wildfire near Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday, June 6

A waterbomber drops water onto the Cameron Bluffs wildfire near Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday, June 6

'I put my mask away for over a year, and now I'm putting on my mask since yesterday,' Ma said.

Eastern Quebec saw rain on Wednesday, but Montreal-based Environment Canada meteorologist Simon Legault said no significant rain is expected for days in the remote areas of central Quebec where the wildfires are more intense.

Ironically, Canada marked its annual Clean Air Day on Wednesday, an occasion created in 1999 as part of Canadian Environmental Week to 'recognize how important good air quality is to our health, our environment, and the economy.'

The country's government took the opportunity to use the day to remind residents that 'air pollution knows no boundaries.' 

Air pollution cloaks eastern US for a second day. Here's why there is so much smoke: 

Intense smoke blanketed the north-eastern United States for a second day on Wednesday, turning the air a yellowish gray and prompting warnings for people to stay inside and keep windows closed. The smoke was flowing from dozens of wildfires in several Canadian provinces.

Much of the air was in the 'unhealthy or worse categories in areas from the mid-Atlantic through the Northeast and parts of the Upper Great Lakes', according to an advisory issued by the Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday night.

US authorities issued air quality alerts in multiple regions and smoke was expected to persist for days.

Conditions were especially bad in parts of central New York, where the airborne soot was at hazardous levels. In New York City, officials on Wednesday said everyone should stay indoors. The conditions arrived late Tuesday afternoon, obscuring views of New Jersey across the Hudson River.

Here's a closer look at what's happening and what's in the smoke:

GENESIS OF THE SMOKE

The sun rises over a hazy New York City skyline as seen from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The sun rises over a hazy New York City skyline as seen from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Unusually hot, dry weather gave rise to the wildfires.

'The month of May was just off the charts - record warm in much of Canada,' said Eric James, a modeling expert with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science at the University of Colorado, who is also with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A warming planet will produce hotter and longer heat waves, making for bigger, smokier fires, according to Joel Thornton, professor and chair of the department of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington.

The Quebec-area fires are big and relatively close, about 500 to 600 miles from Rhode Island and they followed wildfires in Nova Scotia.

'I don't remember fires of this scale in the last ten years,' James said of the Quebec blazes.

Smoke from fires in western Canada have been drifting into the United States for weeks. But it's recent fires in Quebec that have produced the dangerous east coast haze.

WHY IS SMOKE REACHING SO FAR AWAY?

Strong winds high up in the atmosphere can transport smoke long distances and it's common for large, violent fires to create unhealthy conditions hundreds of miles away from where forests are burning.

But the right mix of circumstances had to align for the smoke to blanket major US cities: A dry, hot spring set the stage. Then weather did the rest, said Bob Henson, meteorologist with Yale Climate Change Connections.

In Canada, air is circulating counterclockwise around a low pressure system near Nova Scotia. That sends air south over the fires in Quebec. There the air picks up smoke, and then turns east over New York state, carrying smoke to the eastern seaboard.

'It's a simple matter of trajectory,' Henson said. 'The smoke goes where the wind takes it.'

This wind pattern isn't particularly rare. But the confluence of events is.

'The timing of this weather patterns is unfortunately overlapping with a situation that was ripe for large fires,' Thornton said.

Weather patterns change and the worst conditions should only last a day or two. Some smoke, however, could linger for a week or more, according to James.

WHAT IS SMOKE?

Although smoke seems familiar, it is actually made up of a complex mix of shapes, from round to corkscrew-shaped under the microscope.

'It's not just one sort of chemical,' said Rima Habre, an expert in air quality and exposure science at the University of Southern California. 'It could have gases and carbons and toxic metals.' As it travels, Habre said, it also changes and can contain ozone.

Much of what we see in the air and measure is small particles, or PM 2.5. These are so small they can get deep into the lungs, where oxygen enters your circulation.

'Mostly we worry about inflammation in the lungs,' Habre said, from these high levels of pollution. But with climate change amping up fires, increasingly, she said, she is worried about broader numbers of people being exposed to less extreme smoke for weeks or months.

'Most healthy adults and children will recover quickly from smoke exposure and will not have long-lasting health effects,' according to the EPA advisory. But that is less true for a large category of people, including children whose lungs are still developing, older adults, and people with lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Stay inside, keeping your doors, windows and fireplaces shut, is the advice. Air conditioning on the recirculation setting can help filter out some particles, and air filters can remove many more.

Reporting by AP 

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9Jun

New Innovations in Anesthesia and Respiratory Devices Set to Transform Patient Care

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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The anesthesia and respiratory devices market is a crucial segment within the healthcare industry that focuses on devices and equipment used for managing patient airways, administering anesthesia, and providing respiratory support. These devices play a vital role in various medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and homecare settings.

Anesthesia devices are used to administer and monitor anesthesia during surgical procedures. They include anesthesia machines, vaporizers, ventilators, and monitoring devices. These devices ensure the safe and controlled delivery of anesthetic agents, maintaining a patient’s vital signs, and facilitating a smooth surgical experience.

Respiratory devices, on the other hand, are used to provide support for patients with respiratory conditions or those requiring assistance with breathing. They include devices such as ventilators, respiratory humidifiers, nebulizers, oxygen concentrators, and positive airway pressure devices. These devices aid in the treatment of respiratory disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, sleep apnea, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

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Key players:

  • Covidien
  • Getinge Group
  • Philips Healthcare
  • Draegerwerk AG
  • Teleflex Inc.
  • AstraZeneca
  • Endo International
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Pfizer

Key points:

  • Market Growth: The anesthesia and respiratory devices market is experiencing significant growth due to factors such as the increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases, rising demand for surgical procedures, and technological advancements in device design and connectivity.
  • Device Types: The market includes a wide range of devices, including anesthesia machines, vaporizers, ventilators, respiratory humidifiers, nebulizers, oxygen concentrators, and positive airway pressure devices. These devices are used in various medical settings to manage patient airways, administer anesthesia, and provide respiratory support.
  • Technological Advancements: Ongoing technological advancements in anesthesia and respiratory devices contribute to improved patient care and safety. These advancements include the integration of advanced monitoring systems, wireless connectivity, improved user interfaces, and the development of portable and homecare devices.
  • Minimally Invasive Procedures: The growing adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques has led to the development of anesthesia and respiratory devices specifically designed for these procedures. These devices offer enhanced patient comfort, optimized outcomes, and improved recovery times.
  • Homecare and Portable Devices: There is an increasing demand for respiratory devices that can be used in homecare settings, allowing patients to manage their respiratory conditions outside of the hospital. Portable devices such as oxygen concentrators and portable ventilators provide greater mobility and flexibility for patients.

What are the current market trends and growth prospects in the anesthesia and respiratory devices market?

  • Technological Advancements: The market is experiencing significant technological advancements, including the integration of advanced monitoring systems, wireless connectivity, improved user interfaces, and the development of smart and portable devices. These advancements enhance device functionality, improve patient care, and contribute to market growth.
  • Rising Demand for Minimally Invasive Procedures: The growing preference for minimally invasive surgical techniques is driving the demand for anesthesia and respiratory devices specifically designed for these procedures. These devices offer improved patient comfort, faster recovery times, and optimized surgical outcomes.
  • Increasing Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases: The global prevalence of respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and sleep apnea, is on the rise. This increase in respiratory conditions is driving the demand for respiratory devices that provide efficient and effective respiratory support.
  • Growing Aging Population: The aging population is a significant driver of market growth as elderly individuals are more susceptible to respiratory disorders and often require surgical interventions. The rising geriatric population contributes to increased demand for anesthesia and respiratory devices.
  • Homecare and Portable Devices: There is a growing trend towards homecare and portable devices for respiratory support. Patients with chronic respiratory conditions prefer to manage their health at home, leading to increased demand for portable oxygen concentrators, portable ventilators, and other respiratory devices.

How is the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the anesthesia and respiratory devices market?

  • Increased Demand for Respiratory Devices: The surge in COVID-19 cases has resulted in a higher demand for respiratory devices, particularly ventilators, to support patients with severe respiratory complications. This sudden increase in demand put significant pressure on the global supply chain and led to a temporary shortage of ventilators in some regions.
  • Expanded Use of Anesthesia Machines: Anesthesia machines, originally designed for use in surgical settings, were repurposed to support COVID-19 patients requiring respiratory support. These machines were adapted to function as ventilators, providing critical respiratory assistance in intensive care units and emergency settings.
  • Accelerated Research and Development: The urgent need for effective treatment options and respiratory support during the pandemic prompted increased research and development activities in the anesthesia and respiratory devices market. Manufacturers and researchers worked to develop innovative devices, improve existing technologies, and explore alternative solutions to meet the rising demand.
  • Emphasis on Device Safety and Infection Control: With the heightened focus on infection prevention, there has been an increased emphasis on device safety and infection control measures. Manufacturers have implemented stricter cleaning and sterilization protocols for devices, and there has been an increased demand for devices with antimicrobial coatings and disposable components to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
  • Shift towards Telehealth and Remote Monitoring: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth and remote monitoring solutions. Remote monitoring of patients with respiratory conditions became essential to minimize in-person contact and reduce the risk of virus transmission. This shift led to increased demand for connected respiratory devices that could transmit patient data to healthcare providers remotely.

What are the emerging applications and opportunities in the anesthesia and respiratory devices market?

  • Telehealth and remote monitoring solutions for respiratory care.
  • Development of portable and wearable respiratory devices.
  • Expansion of anesthesia and respiratory devices in homecare settings.
  • Integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics in device monitoring and management.
  • Advancements in personalized medicine and tailored anesthesia delivery.
  • Growing demand for anesthesia and respiratory devices in emerging markets.
  • Focus on infection control and device safety features.
  • Adoption of virtual reality and augmented reality in anesthesia training and simulation.
  • Collaboration between device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies for combined therapies.
  • Integration of IoT and connectivity features for improved device management and patient monitoring.

Other related Reports:

  1. Photobiostimulation Market
  2. COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging and Delivery Devices Market
  3. Transcatheter Mitral valve Replacement Market

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9Jun

What Are the Health Risks of Wildfire Smoke Exposure?

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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A lot is still unknown about the toll wildfire smoke takes on your health. But most adults and children without pre-existing conditions will likely recover quickly from the effects of short-term exposure to the smoke passing over the eastern United States, said Jeffrey Brook, an associate professor of occupational and environmental health at the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

The smoke that people have encountered this week is one of many exposures to pollution our bodies will take in over time, he said — it’s not likely that we’ll be able to identify a health problem in the future and definitively pin it on a few days of wildfire smoke.

“The brevity of this exposure for this period of time shouldn’t have significant long-term effects for the general population,” said Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician at Johns Hopkins Medicine. But there’s limited data on how to assess the health effects from a “onetime big burst of smoke,” said Mary Prunicki, director of air pollution and health research at the Sean N. Parker Center for Asthma and Allergy Research at Stanford Medicine.

“What happens to the person that doesn’t have any outward symptoms from this brief exposure? Probably there are changes in their bloodstream, but maybe that’s transitory. We don’t actually know,” she said. “If they have no significant impacts acutely from the smoke, probably they’re going to not have long-term impacts. But research hasn’t actually shown that either way.”

Isolating the long-term effects of wildfire smoke in general is difficult — it’s tricky to determine how exposure to smoke can impact cognitive performance years later or other consequences, said Laura Corlin, an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. And we also don’t know the exact threshold for just how much exposure is likely to have a long-term impact, said Dr. Raj Fadadu, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine who has studied the health effects of wildfire smoke.

What we do know is that even minutes of exposure to wildfire smoke can trigger inflammation in the body, said Dr. Brook. Inflammation can lead to a cascade of downstream health effects; the longer it persists, the more it raises the risk for cardiovascular issues and strokes. A few days or a week of enhanced inflammation is most likely not enough to lead to detectable health problems in the future, he said. “But inflammation is inflammation, and it is bad.”

We also know that wildfire smoke is particularly dangerous for people with underlying lung or heart conditions. Smoke can exacerbate symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It can put babies, children, older people and pregnant women at risk of severe health effects. Smoke also poses significant risk to fetuses. For otherwise healthy people without pre-existing conditions, even brief exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to stinging eyes, irritated sinuses, wheezing, shortness of breath, headaches, itchy skin and coughing.

If you go outside, wear a tightfitting mask like an N95, and pay extra attention to your body for the next hour or so that follows, said Dr. Emily Pennington, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic — watch out for symptoms like intense coughing and chest tightness. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing chest pain, seek medical attention. Continue to monitor your health over the next few days, and make sure you’re staying hydrated and getting enough sleep, which might help you feel better, advised Dr. Corlin. And take whatever precautions you can to minimize your level of exposure — namely, staying inside as much as possible.

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9Jun

How Long Could Health Effects Last?

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June 8, 2023 – While millions of Americans in the Midwest and on the Eastern Seaboard got some relief from the wildfire smoke from Canada, with more relief expected over the weekend, health experts warned that for at-risk people, some hazardous health effects may persist. 

People with moderate to severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and other risk factors are used to checking air quality warnings before heading outside. But this situation is anything but typical. 

Even people not normally at risk can have burning eyes, a runny nose, and a hard time breathing. These are among the symptoms to watch for as health effects of wildfire smoke. Special considerations should be made for people with heart disease, lung disease, and other conditions that put them at increased risk. Those affected can also have trouble sleeping, anxiety, and ongoing mental health issues.

The smoke will stick around the next few days, possibly clearing out early next week when the winds change direction, Weather Channel meteorologist Ari Sarsalari predicted on Thursday. But that doesn’t mean any physical or mental health effects will clear up as quickly. 

“We are seeing dramatic increases in air pollution, and we are seeing increases in patients coming to the ED and the hospital. We expect that this will increase in the days ahead,” said Meredith McCormack, MD, MHS, a volunteer medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association. 

“The air quality in our area – Baltimore – and other surrounding areas is not healthy for anyone,” said McCormack, who specializes in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins University.

How Serious Are the Health Warnings?

Residents of California might be more familiar with the hazards of wildfire smoke, but this is a novel experience for many people along the East Coast. Air quality advisories are popping up on cellphones for people living in Boston, New York City, and as far south as Northern Virginia. What should the estimated 75 million to 128 million affected Americans do? 

We asked experts to weigh in on when it’s safe or not safe to spend time outside, when to seek medical help, and the best ways for people to protect themselves.

“It’s important to stay indoors and close all windows to reduce exposure to smoke from wildfires. It’s also essential to stay away from any windows that may not have a good seal, in order to minimize any potential exposure to smoke,” said Robert Glatter, MD, editor-at-large a for Medscape Emergency Medicine and an emergency medicine doctor at Lenox Hill Hospital/Northwell Health in New York City. (Medscape Medical News is affiliated with WebMD.) 

Glatter noted that placing moist towels under doors and sealing leaking windows can help. 

Monitor your symptoms, and contact your doctor or go to urgent care, McCormack advised, if you see any increase in concerning symptoms. These include shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, or wheezing. Also make sure you take recommended medications and have enough on hand, she said. 

Fine Particles, Big Concerns

The weather is warming in many parts of the country, and that can mean air conditioning. Adding a MERV 13 filter to a central air conditioning system could reduce exposure to wildfire smoke. Using a portable indoor air purifier with a HEPA filter also can help people without central air conditioning. The filter can help remove small particles in the air but must be replaced regularly. 

Smoke from wildfires contains multiple toxins, including heavy metals, carcinogens, and fine particulate matter (PM) under 2.5 microns. Glatter explained that these particles are about 100 times thinner than a human hair. Because of their size, they can embed deeper into the airways in the lungs and trigger chronic inflammation. 

“This has also been linked to increased rates of lung cancer and brain tumors,” he said, based on a 2022 study in Canada. 

The effects of smoke from wildfires can continue for many years. After the 2014 Hazelwood coal mine fire, emergency department visits for respiratory conditions and cardiovascular complaints remained higher for up to 2 to 5 years later, Glatter said. Again, large quantities of fine particulate matter in the smoke, less than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5), was to blame. 

Exposure to smoke from wildfires during pregnancy has also been linked to abnormal fetal growth, preterm birth, as well as low birth weight, a January 2023 preprint on MedRxiv suggested.  

Time to Wear a Mask Again?

A properly fitted N95 mask will be the best approach to lessen exposure to smoke from wildfires, “but by itself cannot eliminate all of the risk,” Glatter said. Surgical masks can add minimal protection, and cloth masks will not provide any significant protection against the damaging effects of smoke from wildfires.

KN95 masks tend to be more comfortable to wear than N95s. But leakage often occurs that can make this type of protection less effective, Glatter said. 

“Masks are important if you need to go outdoors,” McCormack said. Also, if you’re traveling by car, set the air conditioning system to recirculate to filter the air inside the vehicle, she recommended. 

What Does That Number Mean?

The federal government monitors air quality nationwide. In case you’re unfamiliar, the U.S. Air Quality Index includes a color-coded scale for ozone levels and particle pollution, the main concern from wildfire smoke. The lowest risk is the Green or satisfactory air quality category, where air pollution poses little or no risk, with an Index number from 0 to 50.

The index gets progressively more serious, from Yellow for moderate risk (51 to 100) up to a Maroon category, a hazardous range of 300 or higher on the index. When a Maroon advisory is issued, it means an emergency health warning where “everyone is more likely to be affected.”

New York City is under an air quality alert until midnight Friday with a current “unhealthy” Index report of 200. The city recorded its worst-ever air quality on Wednesday. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation warns that fine particulate levels – small particles that can enter a person’s lungs – are the biggest concern. 

AirNow.gov warns that western New England down to Washington, DC, has air quality in the three worst categories – ranging from unhealthy to very unhealthy and hazardous. The ten worst locations on the U.S. Air Quality Index as of 10 a.m. ET on June 8 include the Wilmington, DE, area with an Index of 241, or “very unhealthy.” 

Other “very unhealthy” locations have the following Index readings:

  • 244: Suburban Washington, DC/Maryland
  • 252: Southern coastal New Jersey
  • 252: Kent County, DE
  • 270: Philadelphia
  • 291: Greater New Castle County, DE
  • 293: Northern Virginia
  • 293: Metropolitan Washington, DC

These two locations are in the “hazardous” or health emergency warning category:

  • 309: Lehigh Valley, PA
  • 399: Susquehanna Valley, PA

To check an air quality advisory in your area, enter your ZIP code at AirNow.gov. 

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9Jun

News Alert: NYU Langone Health Makes Headlines on Thursday, June 8, 2023

Posted by: admin Categories: PREVENTION & WELLBEING
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NYU Langone Health experts are featured in news articles discussing the effects of wildfire smoke on air quality in the Northeast and other parts of the U.S. Dr. Daniel Sterman, a professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine, discusses the health risks of breathing in smoky air. Dr. Rajesh Vedanthan, an associate professor of population health and medicine, discusses the economic impact of smoky air on businesses in the city. Dr. Purvi Parikh, a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics and allergy and immunology, offers advice on staying safe during poor air quality conditions. Other NYU Langone Health experts are featured in articles discussing topics such as AI in healthcare, sports injuries, and oncology.

News from NYU Langone Health

Wildfires on the west coast have been causing hazardous air quality conditions across the country, including in the northeast, where New Yorkers are experiencing smoky air that is disrupting their daily lives. NYU Langone Health experts have been providing insights and recommendations on how to stay safe during this time.

In light of the recent report by the New York Times, Dr. Daniel H. Sterman, the Thomas and Suzanne Murphy Professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, has warned that the smoke from these wildfires can cause respiratory problems, especially for people with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

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Crain’s New York Business reports that Dr. Rajesh Vedanthan, associate professor in the Departments of Population Health and Medicine, has observed that the smoky air has caused parts of the city to go quiet, with fewer people walking or biking outdoors.

Dr. Purvi S. Parikh, clinical assistant professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, has spoken to TODAY.com about the safety of going outside during this time, advising people to limit their time outdoors and wear masks to filter out smoke particles.

Dr. Jonathan Newman, the Eugene Braunwald assistant professor of Cardiology, has been quoted by The Weather Channel, which reports that air quality alerts are active in 16 states. Dr. Newman warns that exposure to wildfire smoke can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

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Meanwhile, The City reports on recommendations from NYU Langone Health experts on how to stay safe during this time. Dr. George D. Thurston, professor in the Departments of Environmental Medicine and Population Health, advises people to stay indoors as much as possible, close windows and doors, and use air purifiers. Dr. Terry Gordon, professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine, recommends using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove smoke particles from the air.

NYU Langone Health experts have also been making headlines in other areas of healthcare. The Daily Mail reports on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to predict patient outcomes, including death, with greater accuracy than traditional methods. Dr. Eric K. Oermann, assistant professor in the Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiology, has been involved in this research.

In sports medicine news, The Athletic and NJ.com report on the possible recovery timeline for New York Yankees star Aaron Judge’s toe injury. Dr. Spencer Stein, assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, weighs in on the best-case scenario for Judge’s return to the field.

Finally, in oncology news, Targeted Oncology reports on the growing impact of drug shortages in the field. Dr. Joshua K. Sabari, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, discusses the challenges and potential solutions.

To draw a final conclusion, NYU Langone Health experts continue to provide valuable insights and recommendations on a wide range of health topics, from air quality to artificial intelligence to sports medicine and oncology.

Source: NYU Langone Health

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9Jun

Air Quality Alert causing issues for sensitive groups in Louisville area

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Wildfire smoke from Canada is making its way across the United States, finally making its way close to home on Thursday.

Louisville Metro has been placed under a Code Orange Air Quality Alert, meaning the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups. The alert is in effect through Friday.

Health officials state people who may have respiratory problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may be affected by the amount of smoke in the air.

People may feel irritation in their eyes, nose, throat and lungs and may face increased risk of respiratory infection.

“We’re seeing patients we would normally see this time of year,” Dr. Wes Sublett, Family Allergy and Asthma Director of Clinical Research said. “But there’s patients we normally take care of and their symptoms are increased because of the fine particulate pollution.”

Sublett said there is a cumulative affect to breathing the smoke and he expects to see more patients experiencing problems in the days to come.

“It’s not great outside right now,” severe asthma patient Ty Adams said. “Typically, it just makes it a little harder to breathe.” To protect his health, Adams said he is staying indoors.

He has given up mowing and walking his dogs until the air clears.

Rachel Keith with UofL Health said people may want to limit their time outdoors or keep an inhaler nearby if they are in a more sensitive group.

“People with respiratory disease can tell when it’s impacting them in a way that they need their rescue inhaler or more of their treatments,” Keith said. “If you do what you typically do and it’s not helping you, and are having air hunger and an asthma attack, seek treatment. Also watch for signs and symptoms of a heart attack.”

Long-term exposure to air pollution is also associated with several chronic health conditions.

Any N-95 masks people may have can also help limit exposure to air particles that can cause inflammation.

Copyright 2023 WAVE. All rights reserved.

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8Jun

How to Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke

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Smoke caused by more than 200 out-of-control wildfires in Canada is producing unhealthy and even hazardous levels of air pollution throughout North America.

The smoke is spreading throughout much of the United States, especially the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and parts of the Southeast. The National Weather Service has described parts of the country as looking like Mars, shrouded in an orange haze that blocks the sunlight and sends temperatures to unexpected lows.

Areas in the northern United States have been most dramatically affected, with New York City briefly ranked by IQAir.com as the most polluted major city in the world and Detroit in the No. 2 spot. “But the smoke and associated pollutants from fires in Northern Quebec are impacting as far south as Charlotte, North Carolina, and even farther because of the wind patterns,” says Rebecca Saari, PhD, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. “So you’re seeing air quality at unhealthy levels in many areas.”

Wildfires not only leave a trail of physical destruction in their immediate path, they also create a wave of health problems as harmful particulate matter and toxic gasses are carried through the air.



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8Jun

Return of killer smog? Experts warn of potentially deadly NYC haze

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City and state syndromic surveillance data, which track patterns in emergency department visits, have yet to detect an increase in patients seeking medical assistance for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory complaints. But NYC Health + Hospitals, the city’s public system, has seen an uptick in patients with smoke-related respiratory symptoms in some of its emergency departments, a spokesperson said Wednesday night.

And if history is any indication, the smog that suffocated the city on Thanksgiving weekend 1966 suggests the current cloud of smoke could have a delayed but deadly health impact.

“No illnesses attributed to pollution,” a front-page New York Times story proclaimed on Nov. 27 that year. The following year, a study found the three-day smog had caused 168 deaths.

Scientific research has linked exposure to fine particles from wildfire smoke with a number of health issues, both in the short and long term. Children and older adults are particularly vulnerable, as are New Yorkers who have underlying lung or heart conditions, state and city health officials are warning.

Across the Hudson River in New Jersey, some warning signs have already emerged.

Hospitals in the northern part of the state reported an increase in respiratory cases among patients in the emergency room, New Jersey Hospital Association President and CEO Cathy Bennett said Wednesday.

“As the air conditions persist, we remain concerned for those with respiratory illnesses and other chronic conditions, as well as those living and working in urban communities,” Bennett said in a statement. “We urge New Jerseyans to continue heeding the warnings to stay indoors with windows closed to minimize the health risk.”

But signs of negative health effects are not always immediate, experts said.

It can take some time for those pollutants, which include microscopic particles of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, to settle into a person’s lungs and cause an inflammatory reaction, according to acting state Health Commissioner James McDonald.

“Someone may be out in the air today and be doing ok with it, but tomorrow they might wake up with a cough and they might when they work a bunch say, ‘I’m not feeling so good,’” McDonald said during a virtual briefing Wednesday.

Robbie M. Parks, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University who is studying the health impact of wildfire smoke, said he was mildly surprised by the data because there is not typically much of a lag between exposure and increased ER visits.

One recent analysis found a small same-day effect on ER visits and hospitalizations for respiratory issues. Other consequences might be less apparent: researchers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found evidence of decreased cognitive performance within hours of exposure.

Parks said it’s helpful to think of exposure to fine particulate matter as a threat multiplier — something that compounds other stressors on the body, such as extreme heat, that may eventually “tip the scale” and lead to a health emergency or even death.

That is especially true for lower-income communities of color that already have poorer air quality and higher rates of asthma and chronic lung disease.

Ramon Tallaj, chairman of the nonprofit physician network SOMOS Community Care, said its clinics in the Bronx, central Brooklyn and upper Manhattan saw an increase in calls and visits related to kids with asthma. SOMOS primarily cares for low-income patients from communities of color.

However, it is possible that officials’ advice to stay indoors is mitigating the more severe health effects seen after other major wildfires, Parks added. He expects the full impact will become clearer next week.

In the long term, Parks said the stressor of fine particle pollution can also harm people’s mental health. Exposure among pregnant people may lead to poorer health outcomes for their babies, such as preterm birth and low birth weight — leading causes of death before the age of one.

Health officials for now are focusing on prevention. They are urging people to protect their health by limiting outdoor activities, closing their windows and using air purifiers. Older adults and people with heart problems or breathing issues are advised to stay indoors.

Social services providers are distributing masks to homeless New Yorkers across the city and trying to find indoor options for people living on the street who have respiratory issues and other chronic health concerns.

“While many of us have the means to stay inside to avoid the extremely poor air quality today, our homeless neighbors do not have that same privilege,” the Center for Urban Community Services, a nonprofit, said in a statement.

McDonald said New Yorkers should wear a mask, preferably a high-quality one like the KN95 masks that became ubiquitous during the pandemic, if their region’s air quality index exceeds 300 and they have to go outside.

“I’m interested in preventing problems,” he said. “I really don’t want folks to get sick.”

Daniel Han contributed to this report.

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8Jun

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treatment Global Market Report 2023

Posted by: admin Categories: PHYSICAL REHABILITATION
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ReportLinker

ReportLinker

Major players in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market are Almirall S.A., AstraZeneca PLC, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, GSK PLC., Novartis AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

New York, June 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treatment Global Market Report 2023" - www.reportlinker.com/p06466548/?utm_source=GNW
, Astellas Pharma Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Mylan N.V., Orion Corporation, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Circassia Group PLC, Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd., Circassia Group PLC, and Sanofi S.A.

The global chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market is expected to grow from $19.18 billion in 2022 to $20.08 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.71%. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted the chances of global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in the short term. The war between these two countries has led to economic sanctions on multiple countries, a surge in commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions, causing inflation across goods and services and affecting many markets across the globe. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market is expected to reach $24.52 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 5.12%.

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, medication services, endobronchial valve therapy and non-invasive ventilation services.The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering.

Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment refers to medical care given to a patient that helps manage the symptoms, slow the progression, and improve the overall quality of life of individuals with COPD. COPD is a progressive respiratory disease characterized by airflow obstruction, chronic inflammation, and damage to the lung tissue.

North America was the largest region in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market in 2022.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.

The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The main types of drugs used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment are combination therapy, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitors, mucokinetics, and other drug classes.A combination therapy refers to a therapeutic intervention in which more than one therapy is administered to the patient.

Combination therapy includes treatment plans that call for giving patients a variety of tablets, each carrying a specific medication. It used to treat such diseases as chronic bronchitis and emphysema and majorly used by hospitals, clinics, and homecare.

The increasing prevalence of lung disease is expected to propel the growth of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market.Lung disease is a disorder that affects the lungs and keeps them from functioning properly.

The most common lung diseases are asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment is primarily used to treat lung disease, decrease the condition’s progression, control the symptoms, and avoid lung damage by employing inhalers and drugs.

For instance, in September 2022, according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), a US-based non-profit organization, lung cancer had caused more than 2.2 million new cases and 1.80 million deaths globally in 2020, accounting for 1 in 4 cancer deaths. And 3.2 million people per year die from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects an estimated 200 million people. Additionally, asthma affected 262 million people globally in 2022. These numbers are expected to rise in the future. Therefore, the increasing prevalence of lung disease is driving the growth of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market.

Product innovation is a key trend gaining popularity in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market.Major companies operating in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market are focusing on developing innovative products to sustain their position in the market.

For instance, in April 2022, GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), a UK-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, launched Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol), the first single-inhaler triple treatment (SITT) for patients in India with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Trelegy Ellipta is used as a maintenance medication to treat and prevent the signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in people 18 years of age and older.

It performs similarly to natural corticosteroid hormones, reducing immune system activity by attaching to receptors (targets) on particular immune cell types. Additionally, it helps reduce swelling of the airways in the lungs to make breathing easier.

In July 2020, PAOG, a US-based biopharmaceutical technology company, acquired Resprx for $200 billion.With this acquisition, PAOG has the opportunity to strengthen its long-term medicinal cannabis goal by entering the cannabis biopharmaceutical sector.

Resprx, a US-based biopharmaceutical technology company, that provide cannabis-based COPD treatment.

The countries covered in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market statistics, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market share, detailed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment industry. This chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
Read the full report: www.reportlinker.com/p06466548/?utm_source=GNW

About Reportlinker
ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

__________________________

CONTACT: Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001

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8Jun

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treatment

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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New York, June 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treatment Global Market Report 2023" - www.reportlinker.com/p06466548/?utm_source=GNW
, Astellas Pharma Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Mylan N.V., Orion Corporation, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Circassia Group PLC, Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd., Circassia Group PLC, and Sanofi S.A.

The global chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market is expected to grow from $19.18 billion in 2022 to $20.08 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.71%. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted the chances of global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in the short term. The war between these two countries has led to economic sanctions on multiple countries, a surge in commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions, causing inflation across goods and services and affecting many markets across the globe. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market is expected to reach $24.52 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 5.12%.

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, medication services, endobronchial valve therapy and non-invasive ventilation services.The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering.

Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment refers to medical care given to a patient that helps manage the symptoms, slow the progression, and improve the overall quality of life of individuals with COPD. COPD is a progressive respiratory disease characterized by airflow obstruction, chronic inflammation, and damage to the lung tissue.

North America was the largest region in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market in 2022.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.

The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The main types of drugs used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment are combination therapy, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitors, mucokinetics, and other drug classes.A combination therapy refers to a therapeutic intervention in which more than one therapy is administered to the patient.

Combination therapy includes treatment plans that call for giving patients a variety of tablets, each carrying a specific medication. It used to treat such diseases as chronic bronchitis and emphysema and majorly used by hospitals, clinics, and homecare.

The increasing prevalence of lung disease is expected to propel the growth of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market.Lung disease is a disorder that affects the lungs and keeps them from functioning properly.

The most common lung diseases are asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment is primarily used to treat lung disease, decrease the condition’s progression, control the symptoms, and avoid lung damage by employing inhalers and drugs.

For instance, in September 2022, according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), a US-based non-profit organization, lung cancer had caused more than 2.2 million new cases and 1.80 million deaths globally in 2020, accounting for 1 in 4 cancer deaths. And 3.2 million people per year die from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects an estimated 200 million people. Additionally, asthma affected 262 million people globally in 2022. These numbers are expected to rise in the future. Therefore, the increasing prevalence of lung disease is driving the growth of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market.

Product innovation is a key trend gaining popularity in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market.Major companies operating in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market are focusing on developing innovative products to sustain their position in the market.

For instance, in April 2022, GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), a UK-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, launched Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol), the first single-inhaler triple treatment (SITT) for patients in India with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Trelegy Ellipta is used as a maintenance medication to treat and prevent the signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in people 18 years of age and older.

It performs similarly to natural corticosteroid hormones, reducing immune system activity by attaching to receptors (targets) on particular immune cell types. Additionally, it helps reduce swelling of the airways in the lungs to make breathing easier.

In July 2020, PAOG, a US-based biopharmaceutical technology company, acquired Resprx for $200 billion.With this acquisition, PAOG has the opportunity to strengthen its long-term medicinal cannabis goal by entering the cannabis biopharmaceutical sector.

Resprx, a US-based biopharmaceutical technology company, that provide cannabis-based COPD treatment.

The countries covered in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market statistics, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market share, detailed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment industry. This chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
Read the full report: www.reportlinker.com/p06466548/?utm_source=GNW

About Reportlinker
ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

__________________________

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8Jun

4 ways to protect yourself from the Canadian wildfire smoke : Life Kit : NPR

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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Buildings in the Manhattan skyline shrouded in smoke from Canada wildfires at sunrise in Jersey City, New Jersey, US, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. New York was the most polluted major city in the world on Tuesday night, as smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the city in haze, according to the IQAir website.

Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Buildings in the Manhattan skyline shrouded in smoke from Canada wildfires at sunrise in Jersey City, New Jersey, US, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. New York was the most polluted major city in the world on Tuesday night, as smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the city in haze, according to the IQAir website.

Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Hundreds of wildfires are burning right now in Canada, and the wind has blown the smoke over cities like Ottawa to New York City and beyond.

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulates, also known as PM2.5, by scientists. These particles, lightweight and tiny, travel far and wide and can go deep into your lungs and bloodstream, causing inflammation, heart attacks, strokes, asthma and other breathing issues.

6 ways to get ready for a wildfire

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography did a study in 2021 that found wildfire smoke is up to 10 times more harmful to humans than other types of pollution, like car exhaust, because of the abundance of PM2.5 particles.

If you can see the haze outside your window, the sky looks an unusual color or the air smells like campfire, it's best to stay indoors if possible.

Here are some more tips on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke:

How to interpret the air quality index (AQI)

According to AirNow, the higher the AQI value in your area, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concerns.

AQI of 100 or below

An AQI of 50 or below represents good air quality and won't pose risks. Air quality is still acceptable if the AQI is 51-100, but there may be a risk to people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution, such as those with respiratory illnesses.

AQI between 101 to 150

If the AQI is 100 to 150, people with respiratory or other medical issues should start taking precautions like avoiding the outdoors altogether or wearing a mask when outside.

AQI between 151 to 200

If the AQI is 151 to 200, most people will start noticing some minor effects like a scratchy throat, runny nose and maybe some nausea. If you're in a sensitive group – for example, if you've been diagnosed with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – then you'll want to look out for signs of more severe health problems, like chest tightness, an inability to catch your breath, and sudden dizziness or confusion.

AQI between 201 to 300

If the AQI is over 200 in your area – this should show as a purple color on a map – then health risks are increased for everyone, whether you have underlying issues or not. You might notice minor symptoms, such as coughing, but everyone should be alert to symptoms that might indicate a more serious problem, such as a tightening or weighted feeling in the chest or labored breathing.

AQI of 301 or above

If the AQI is 301, everyone will likely experience some form of smoke-related health issue. If you can, move all activities indoors or reschedule them for another day.

If you can, stay inside

If the AQI in your area is above 150, avoid going outside if you can. Avoid things like exercising outside or running errands that can wait until the air quality has improved. If you need to be outside, use a well-fitting N-95 mask if you have one. Because of those small pm2.5 particles, something like a bandana won't protect your lungs from the smoke.

Minimize your exposure indoors

Close all doors and windows to the outside. If your windows have cracks, use a damp towel to cover them to limit the air from outside.

If you have central air conditioning, run it because it should have an air filter that can help.

Busting 5 common myths about water and hydration

If you have an air purifier or air filter, those are best for improving your indoor air quality. You can also make a DIY box fan air filter for wildfire smoke.

If you're in the car on a smoky day, press that recirculate button. That way, your car won't be pulling air from outside but just recirculating the air that's already in the car.

Self-care for smoke-filled days

Try and use a hydrating moisturizer to keep those smoke particles out of your pores. This will also help if your skin feels dry from the smoky air.

If the smell of the fires is getting to you, try dabbing a bit of essential oil under your nose or use a strong-scented chapstick to mask the smell.

Stay hydrated! Fires usually happen where the air is dry and windy. And the weather patterns that carry the smoke can bring those conditions as well.

And try to stay calm. Smoke days are stressful and are an upsetting reminder of our overheating planet. Anxiety will worsen the health effects of smoke exposure, so it might be helpful to remember that other communities have come through similar or worse smoke situations, and the air will eventually clear.

The audio portion of this episode was produced by Sylvie Douglis and edited by Meghan Keane.

We'd love to hear from you. email us at [email protected]. Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or sign up for our newsletter.

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8Jun

Does a KN-95 or N95 mask work against smoke?

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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<p><a href=”https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-new-york-air-quality-canadian-fire-20230606-2s24wadx4rh2lakruxzhmmywnm-story.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Smoke that’s been blown</a> southward from hundreds of Canadian <a href=”https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-fires-burning-out-of-control-1.6865147″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>wildfires</a> are <a href=”https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/06/07/canadian-wildfires-photos-smoke-us/”>causing hazardous air-quality conditions across the eastern United States</a>. With all the nasty air particles floating around, experts say you should wear a mask if you do venture out.</p><p class=”default__StyledText-sc-1wxyvyl-0 hnShxL body-paragraph”>Just like with the coronavirus, the stronger the mask, the better, although any face covering is better than none, <a href=”https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-hazardous-air-quality-nyc-canadian-wildfires-need-to-know-20230607-qw7juholebgsdbc2hrfec7ox34-story.html”>said Ramón Tallaj, a doctor who leads SOMOS Community Care,</a> a nonprofit health network based in New York.</p><p><img class=”size-article_inline lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1″ sizes=”491px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 620w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 780w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 810w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1280w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1860w” alt=”Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On Large Swath Of Eastern U.S.” width=”1024″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3086349″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 620w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 780w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 810w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1280w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1258511415.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1860w” /> People wear masks as they wait for the tramway to Roosevelt Island as smoke from Canadian wildfires casts a haze over the area on June 7, 2023 in New York City. Air pollution alerts were issued across the United States due to smoke from wildfires that have been burning in Canada for weeks. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)</p><p>Dr. Jennifer Logan, a pediatric pulmonologist with Lehigh Valley Health Network in Pennsylvania, <a href=”https://www.mcall.com/2023/06/07/red-alert-wildfires-health-risks-lehigh-valley/”>told The Morning Call</a> that wearing most masks will not help protect against smoke inhalation and the small particulates in the smoke can even collect in the masks, meaning that wearing a cloth, surgical or low-quality filtration mask may actually be counterproductive.</p><p>However, Chrysan Cronin, director of public health at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, said for people who have to spend extended amounts of time outdoors for work or some other reason, a N95 mask can be effective, as it can filter out extremely small particles.</p><p><a href=”https://www.nymetroweather.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Meteorologist John Homenuk</a> also said N95 masks are “going to filter out these particles most effectively.”</p><p>“If you still have an N95 mask or you want to go grab one, it’s recommended to wear them because they do filter the harmful particles out, at least to some degree,” <a href=”https://www.nymetroweather.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Homenuk</a> told the New York Daily News.</p><p class=”default__StyledText-sc-1wxyvyl-0 hnShxL body-paragraph”>Tallaj did have a tip for those who may only have surgical masks on hand: Flip the mask so that the smoother, blue side is on the inside, near your mouth.</p><p class=”default__StyledText-sc-1wxyvyl-0 hnShxL body-paragraph”>“Surgeons use it with the blue part outside, because they don’t want their mouth and their breathing to go inside the patients during surgery,” Tallaj said. “In this case, it’s the other way around. You don’t want the [particles] to come to you.”</p><h4 class=”header__StyledHeading-sc-30ohha-0 fjSHlS”>Is this smoke just uncomfortable or dangerous?</h4><p class=”default__StyledText-sc-1wxyvyl-0 hnShxL body-paragraph”>Both.</p><p>Logan <a href=”https://www.mcall.com/2023/06/07/red-alert-wildfires-health-risks-lehigh-valley/”>told The Morning Call</a> that for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis, the small particulates in the smoke can be particularly harmful. But she added everyone should try to minimize their exposure to the smoke.</p><p><img class=”size-article_inline lazyautosizes lazyload” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=620%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1″ sizes=”491px” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=620%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 620w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=780%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 780w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=810%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 810w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=1280%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1280w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=1860%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1860w” alt=”Smoke from wildfires in Canada affect the Lehigh Valley for a second day Wednesday, June 7, 2023, as seen at Easton Avenue in Bethlehem. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)” width=”2751″ data-sizes=”auto” data-src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=620%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1″ data-attachment-id=”3086358″ data-srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=620%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 620w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=780%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 780w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=810%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 810w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=1280%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1280w,i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TMC-L-CanadaWildfires.webp?fit=1860%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1860w” /> Smoke from wildfires in Canada affect the Lehigh Valley for a second day Wednesday, June 7, 2023, as seen at Easton Avenue in Bethlehem. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)</p><p>She said the particulate matter in the smoke is very small and can easily work its way into the smallest airways of the lungs, which can cause coughing and wheezing, particularly in people with chronic respiratory conditions.</p><p>However, even for healthy people, prolonged exposure can cause short-term problems like eye irritation, pulmonary inflammation and issues with lung function, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</p><p>Dr. Douglas Corwin, a critical care physician specializing in pulmonary disease with St. Luke’s University Health Network based in Pennsylvania, said for most people, short-term exposure should cause nothing more than temporary annoyance or mild discomfort.</p><p>“The smell can be irritating, annoying or it can be a little frankly nauseating, but in terms of long-term health repercussions this short burst shouldn’t cause any permanent damage,” Corwin said.</p><h4 class=”header__StyledHeading-sc-30ohha-0 fjSHlS”>Should I even go outside?</h4><p class=”default__StyledText-sc-1wxyvyl-0 hnShxL body-paragraph”>Young people, older adults and people with underlying health issues <a href=”https://www.weather.gov/okx/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>should stay indoors</a> and keep their windows shut. All others should also limit their <a href=”https://www.iqair.com/us/air-quality-map/usa/new-york/new-york-city” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>exposure to the outdoors</a> and take precautions.</p><p class=”default__StyledText-sc-1wxyvyl-0 hnShxL body-paragraph”>“The main thing is to limit outdoor exposure and obviously any strenuous activity. You don’t want to be gasping for air and breathing this stuff in all day, if you can avoid it,” <a href=”https://www.nymetroweather.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Homenuk</a> <a href=”https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-hazardous-air-quality-nyc-canadian-wildfires-need-to-know-20230607-qw7juholebgsdbc2hrfec7ox34-story.html”>told the Daily News</a>.</p><p>Parents should limit outdoor play for their children, Logan said. “Children breathe faster and when you’re exercising you breathe in much deeper and faster so you will inhale more particulate matter if you are exercising outside,” Logan said.</p><p>Corwin said that those with respiratory issues or parents of children with respiratory issues should follow existing action plans set out by their physicians or should contact their doctors if they need extra guidance. Logan said everyone should stay inside when possible, keep windows closed and make sure their air filters are clean.</p><p>“If you can smell the smoke, you’re probably breathing in the particulate matter,” Logan said. “If you’re not smelling it, you’re probably in the clear.”</p><h4>Are there effects of repeated smoke inhalation?</h4><p>Research into the effects of repeated short-term exposure to wildfire smoke is limited. Studies have shown reduced and worsening lung function in firefighters exposed to heavy smoke while fighting wildfires, according to the EPA. Some studies have shown also <a href=”https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667278221001073#sec0017″>correlations with wildfire smoke exposure and increases in general mortality, respiratory illness and cancer</a>.</p><p>However, wildfires and wildfire smoke exposure has been shown to cause respiratory issues leading to increased emergency room visits and hospital admissions for respiratory illness in affected areas. Corwin said this is why both people with chronic respiratory illness and healthy people should be careful.</p><p>“Be smart about it. If you don’t need to be outside training for a marathon, for the next couple of days maybe this is the time to be inside in the gym, where there’s kind of purified or filtered air via air conditioning,” Corwin said. “Hopefully this is a relatively transient event. It should be hopefully clearing out the next 24 to 48 hours — if activities can be delayed, they should.”</p><p><em>Contributing: Leif Greiss, The Morning Call; Josephine Stratman and Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News</em></p>

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8Jun

Study compares long-term consequences of COVID-19 between patients with rheumatic inflammatory diseases and healthy controls

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In a recent article published in the Lancet Rheumatology, researchers used data from a long-term ongoing prospective cohort study in the Netherlands to compare the characteristics of long-COVID in inflammatory rheumatic diseases patients and healthy controls during the period when the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariants, BA.1/BA.2 were dominant.

Study: Post-COVID condition in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a prospective cohort study in the Netherlands. Image Credit: peterschreiber.media/Shutterstock.com
Study: Post-COVID condition in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a prospective cohort study in the Netherlands. Image Credit: peterschreiber.media/Shutterstock.com

Background

The symptoms of inflammatory rheumatic diseases and long COVID are overlapping. Hence, it is tedious to classify patients of long COVID among patients of inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Post-COVID condition is inherently heterogenous and poorly defined; however, it might include many persistent symptoms, such as fatigue, beyond the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection phase. Also, findings of epidemiological studies investigating long COVID have fetched immensely heterogeneous results and remained largely inconclusive.

Per recent studies, persistent inflammation and auto-immune reactions after the acute infection phase play a crucial role in the progression of post-COVID. However, all pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this condition also remain unclear. Thus, it is still unknown whether rheumatic disease patients are more susceptible to long-COVID and their clinical phenotype varies from other people.

About the study

Researchers invited patients aged ≥18 with inflammatory rheumatic diseases from the Rheumatology and Immunology Center in Amsterdam to participate in this retrospective cohort study between April 26, 2020, and March 1, 2021.

The study participants self-recruited their healthy controls with and without a history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Also, they were of comparable age (±5 years) and same gender and had no inflammatory rheumatic disease. It helped the researchers investigate the risk of the post-COVID condition, its symptoms, and the time taken to recover across the two cohorts while accounting for the shared symptoms of both diseases.

They used Kaplan-Meier survival analyses to compare the time taken to recover from long-COVID following Omicron infection between patients of two study cohorts during the first 26 weeks after disease onset. Likewise, they presented the variations in the symptomology of post-COVID condition across both cohorts as bar charts.

The researchers used a regression-based approach for causal mediation analyses to test the hypothesis that the severity of the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection could be a mediator in the association between participant status and long-COVID, as studies have demonstrated that disease severity is a risk factor for the long-COVID in patients with mild COVID-19.

To this end, they collected demographic data of all the study participants using a baseline questionnaire sent on June 25, 2022. The study analyses on long-COVID condition post-Omicron infections covered only those participants who completed this first questionnaire.

 

Further, they calculated E-values for the association between participant status and post-COVID condition, an approach that establishes the robustness of the main study results. In the follow-up questionnaires, they reported their pre-existing diseases, medications, and COVID-19 clinical characteristics. They also collected serum samples during follow-up for analyses of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies testing.

Results

The final analysis set of the study comprised 1974 inflammatory rheumatic disease patients and 733 controls, whose mean age was 59 years. Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease more frequently suffer from cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and other health issues like diabetes and obesity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines participants with post-COVID as people with symptoms lasting at least eight weeks post-onset or three months of a diagnostic test, like reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that an alternative diagnosis cannot explain.

After applying the WHO criteria, the authors observed that more inflammatory rheumatic disease patients vs. healthy controls developed long-COVID; however, their symptomology and time to recovery were similar. Though the distribution of symptom types was comparable across groups, insomnia was more common in participants without a COVID-19 history.

Furthermore, they observed that inflammatory rheumatic disease patients with no COVID-19 history were more likely to complain of persistent symptoms characterizing long-COVID than healthy controls with an odds ratio (OR) of 2·52, which exceeded the computed E-values of 1·74 and 1·96.

Conclusions

The study data highlighted that the current WHO criteria for defining long-COVID in inflammatory rheumatic disease patients are inadequate. Thus, rheumatologists should carefully interpret all studies investigating long-COVID based on the WHO criteria. In addition, the authors advocated that rheumatologists adopt a nuanced attitude when informing their patients about the long-term repercussions of COVID-19.

Journal reference:

  • Post-COVID condition in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a prospective cohort study in the Netherlands, Laura Boekel, Sadaf Atiqi, Maureen Leeuw, Femke Hooijberg, Yaëlle R. Besten, Rosa Wartena, Maurice Steenhuis, Erik Vogelzang, Casper Webers, Annelies Boonen, Martijn Gerritsen, Willem F Lems, Sander W Tas, Ronald F van Vollenhoven, Alexandre E Voskuyl, Irene van der Horst-Bruinsma, Mike Nurmohamed, Theo Rispens, Gertjan Wolbink, Lancet Rheumatol 2023 Published Online May 31, 2022, doi: doi.org/10.1016/ S2665-9913(23)00127-3
    www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(23)00127-3/fulltext
     

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8Jun

Exercise can help with COPD, so I make it fun with trail hiking

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Staying active can help ease the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sometimes I find this challenging because I get tired of doing the same exercises or going to the same places to walk. I have tried to lessen the boredom by changing up my exercise routine and rotating where I walk.

A few years ago, I joined the West Virginia State Park Challenge. The challenge was to visit a different state park each Sunday and choose a trail to walk. That was a lot of fun, so I decided to take the waterfall trails challenge this year.

The first waterfall on my list is Big Branch Falls. I’ve had both scary and fond memories of the Brooks Falls, where the trail for the Big Branch Falls starts.

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A speaker leads a discussion at a conference.

A close call

Before my husband died, we had a small fiberglass boat and were fishing above the Brooks Falls with the trolling motor when we looked up to see a rolling wave of water coming toward us. They had opened the gates at the Bluestone Dam upriver, just out of sight.

When they open a gate, a siren sounds so that people know to beware of rushing water. But between the noise of the motor and the sound of the rushing water going over the falls, we didn’t hear the siren. We ended up taking an unplanned trip over the falls.

I remember grabbing an oar and frantically paddling as my husband tried to start the motor. In hindsight, both actions were ridiculous attempts to beat the rush of water coming our way. The last thing I remember before going under was that the boat seemed to stand on its end while I held on to a pole that connected my seat to the boat.

I remembered my whitewater rafting training, which told me to relax and eventually the river would spit me out. The last thing I remember thinking was that I couldn’t hold my breath any longer. The next sight I had was of my husband hanging on to our capsized boat, where I joined him. A professional fishing expedition rescued us and took us back to our vehicle.

I’m determined not to let that scary incident prevent me from hiking to Big Branch Falls. I have been back to Brooks Falls many times since the incident and find peace in the sound of the rushing water and marvel at how something so beautiful and peaceful could be so dangerous.

I think this emotion is similar to the feeling that many people have about cigarettes. How could something they enjoyed so much be so harmful and difficult to quit? Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things I have ever done. (If you are thinking of quitting, here are some helpful tips.)

Water flows lightly over the side of a small dam in a creek at Little Beaver State Park in West Virginia.

Water flows over the side of the Little Beaver Creek dam at Little Beaver State Park in Raleigh County, West Virginia. (Photo by Caroline Gainer)

Since the weather has gotten warmer here, I’ve been visiting my local state parks and revisiting some of my favorite trails.

I’ve been feeling the extra weight I put on last winter. I rode my bike and did my exercises during the winter, but it isn’t as challenging as walking a state park trail. When I’m on a trail, I have to walk up an incline much of the time because there are few flat areas in West Virginia.

I hope that losing some weight will help me with my trail walking. This is the first time in my life that I have been in the overweight category, so I guess my COPD is well controlled.

I hope you enjoy the pictures from my favorite trail at Little Beaver State Park.

A woman in a pink sweater sits on a large stone next to a lake or river in a picturesque, wooded, nature scene.

Caroline rests during a recent hike on the lakefront trail at Little Beaver State Park in West Virginia. (Courtesy of Caroline Gainer)

Note: COPD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of COPD News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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