TORONTO, May 22 — The Iraq war may be a new risk factor for bronchiolitis, a researcher said here.Action PointsExplain to interested patients that bronchiolitis is usually associated with lung transplants, toxic inhalation, infection, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Note that this study reports a number of soldiers returning from Iraq with bronchiolitis, including some with no clear risk factors.

Note that this study was published as an abstract and presented as a poster at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

(more…)

TORONTO, May 21 — A short course of rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) to treat latent tuberculosis is cheaper and safer than the standard nine months of isoniazid (Nydrazid) although comparative efficacy is still up in the air, researchers said here.

In a multinational randomized phase II trial, four months of once-daily rifampin cost about $1,060 for each patient who completed the course, compared with about $1,540 for patients who finished the daily isoniazid, according to Anne Aspler, M.Sc., of McGill University in Montreal.
(more…)

TORONTO, May 20 — An investigational anti-fibrotic agent is showing promise in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a researcher said here. Action PointsExplain to interested patients that there are no approved treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Note that this clinical study suggests a new investigational agent may reduce the rate of decline in lung function in patients with the disease.
(more…)

TORONTO, May 20 — The active genes in immune cells of patients with non-small cell lung cancer are different than those of healthy patients, a researcher said here. Action PointsExplain to interested patients that a study suggests that a blood test might help distinguish between benign and cancerous lung nodules, aiding diagnosis.

Note that these studies were published as abstracts and presented orally at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

(more…)

TORONTO, May 20 — The active genes in immune cells of patients with non-small cell lung cancer are different than those of healthy patients, a researcher said here. Action PointsExplain to interested patients that a study suggests that a blood test might help distinguish between benign and cancerous lung nodules, aiding diagnosis.

Note that these studies were published as abstracts and presented orally at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

(more…)

TORONTO, May 20 — More intensive dialysis does not reduce mortality among critically ill patients with acute kidney injury, a researcher said here. Action PointsExplain to interested patients that critically ill people with an acute kidney injury require renal-replacement support but there is no consensus on the appropriate intensity of dose.

Note that this study tested a high-intensity and low-intensity regimen and found no difference in most important respects, including all-cause mortality.

(more…)