News Release

New research relating to lung function

Lung function news briefs

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American College of Chest Physicians

#5598

VITAMINS MAY IMPROVE SMOKERS’ LUNG FUNCTION
(Wednesday, October 24, 1:30 PM EST)

New research shows that antioxidants—vitamins A, C, and E—may help improve lung function in people who smoke. Researchers from Bangladesh compared the lung function of 200 healthy male smokers who took one vitamin—A, C, or E— or all three in combination for 2 months. Results showed that patients taking vitamins, improved their lung function after 2 months, with those taking all three vitamins in combination experiencing the largest improvement in lung function. The study also found that when vitamin supplementation was ceased, smokers’ lung function decreased, leading researchers to conclude that the beneficial effects of vitamins are temporary if they are not taken consistently.


#5608

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS IMPROVE LUNG FUNCTION
(Wednesday, October 24, 1:30 PM EST)

Researchers from Manhasset High School in New York, say a student athlete’s respiratory muscles can be trained and strengthened through athletic activity. The spirometric values of both student athletes (swimmers and wrestlers) and non-athletes were analyzed and the differences between the two were calculated. Researchers found that athletes had significantly better lung function when compared to the non-athletes. They also found that among the athletes, wrestlers were shown to have better lung function than swimmers.


#4757

ALCOHOL MAY BE GOOD FOR LUNG FUNCTION
(Wednesday, October 24, 1:30 PM EST)

People who are light to moderate drinkers may experience better lung function than abstainers, according to a study from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. Researchers examined data from health care exams administered to more than 177,000 members of a health plan from 1964-1973. Included were lung function data and questionnaire items regarding alcohol habits. Results showed that independent of smoking and evidence of lung or heart disease, light to moderate drinkers were less likely to have abnormal lung function.


#5022

LUNG FUNCTION TEST UNDERUTILIZED
(Wednesday, October 24, 11:30 AM EST)

A new study says spirometry testing is underutilized in outpatient medical clinics. The lung function test is recommended for proper diagnosis of COPD. Researchers from the University or Connecticut and St. Francis Hospital analyzed data for patients who were aged 45 or older, and were either diagnosed with COPD or asthma, a current smoker, or experiencing respiratory symptoms. Results showed that only one-third of patients received spirometry. Less than half of those diagnosed with COPD had spirometry confirmation.


#5530

COPD PRESCRIPTIONS NOT INFLUENCED BY TEST
(Wednesday, October 24, 11:30 AM EST)

A new study reveals that patients with COPD commonly receive the same medication prescriptions, regardless of whether or not they’ve undergone spirometry testing. Over a 1-year period, researchers from Illinois collected data from more than 100,000 veterans with COPD. While only one-quarter of those included underwent spirometry, the test did not affect the type or amount of medications prescribed.

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