Pulmonology
Feature
Call to action on obesity amid COVID-19 pandemic
Hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide from COVID-19 could have been avoided if obesity rates were lower; call for people with obesity to be...
Feature
BMI, age, and sex affect COVID-19 vaccine antibody response
Study finds that older and heavier men have lower antibody responses to the Pfizer mRNA vaccine than do younger, leaner, and female recipients.
Feature
COVID-19 vaccination linked to less mechanical ventilation
A new paper offers a “real-world” look at vaccination effectiveness, according to the authors.
Conference Coverage
Asthma not an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19, hospitalization
There have been conflicting data on whether comorbid asthma is or is not a risk factor for more severe COVID-19.
From the Journals
Tocilizumab may improve lung function in early systemic sclerosis
Treatment with tocilizumab may improve lung function in patients with interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis.
Feature
One-third of health care workers leery of getting COVID-19 vaccine, survey shows
Self-reported willingness to be vaccinated differs by age, gender, race, and hospital role, suggests research.
From the Journals
Prospective data support delaying antibiotics for pediatric respiratory infections
Children who were immediately prescribed antibiotics showed no significant difference in symptom severity or duration from those who received a...
From the Journals
ColCORONA: More questions than answers for colchicine in COVID-19
Millions of dollars and thousands of patients later, the phase 3 study highlights the challenges of COVID-19–related preprint studies without peer...
News from the FDA/CDC
FDA alert confirms heart and cancer risks with tofacitinib (Xeljanz)
Completed safety clinical trial shows occurrence of heart-related events and cancer in RA patients taking the Janus kinase inhibitor is higher...
From the Journals
Microthrombi, necrosis seen in COVID-19 hearts on autopsy
A new autopsy series shows microthrombi and focal necrosis in hearts of patients who died of COVID-19. The findings support use of anticoagulation...
Feature
Moderna needs more kids for COVID vaccine trials
Trials for 12- to 17-year-olds have started, but are getting many fewer volunteers per month than needed.