THROMBOSIS AT YOUNG AGE MAY INCREASE RISK FOR FAMILY MEMBERS
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients younger than 45 years may be associated with an increased risk of VTE in the patients' families. French researchers assessed the prevalence of VTE in 1,916 first-degree relatives of 378 patients with unprovoked VTE. Results showed that the risk of VTE was three times higher in relatives of patients with VTE who were younger than 45 years compared with patients who were older than 71 years. Further analysis revealed an inverse association between age of the initial patient and the risk of VTE in family members: each year the initial patient was younger, the incidence of VTE increased by 1.7 percent in relatives. Overall prevalence of VTE among first-degree relatives was 5.3 percent or 102 previous episodes of VTE. Researchers conclude that unprovoked VTE at a young age may be associated with an increased risk for VTE in patients' relatives. This article is published in the December issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.
AIR POLLUTION MAY AFFECT ASTHMA MEDICATION IN CHILDREN
Recent exposure to air pollution may reduce the effects of asthma medication in children, shows a new study. Researchers in Mexico examined the relationship between the percent change in FEV1 (forced exhalation volume in the first second) after the use of short-acting β-agonists (SABA) and outdoor air pollution in 85 children with asthma (aged 7 to 12 years). Outdoor air pollution was determined using nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and fine particulate matter. Results showed that an increase in NO2 levels was associated with a reduced response of FEV1 to SABA. Increased levels of O3 also resulted in a reduced response to SABA. Researchers conclude that air pollution levels may have important implications on how patients with asthma may respond to SABA. The article is published in the December issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.
SMOKERS AND NONSMOKERS WITH ASTHMA EXPERIENCE SIMILAR BENEFITS FROM INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS
Although previous studies have suggested that patients with asthma who smoke experience a reduced benefit from inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), new research shows that this may not be the case. Researchers from McMaster University Medical Center in Ontario, Canada, compared the effects of budesonide vs placebo on lung function in 492 patients with asthma who did not smoke and 2,432 patients with asthma who smoked. Results showed that patients who smoked had a greater 3-year decline in lung function than patients with asthma who did not smoke. However, the benefits of ICS on preventing lung function decline were similar in both groups. This study is published in the December issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.